Trinity Episcopal defeats River Oaks
by Cody Futrell - posted Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 @ 9:24 am

Trinity Episcopal won a tug-of-war Friday night with a fumble return for a touchdown to defeat River Oaks, 21-16, in Mississippi Private School Association action.

Wells Middleton scooped up a River Oaks (5-3) fumble and sprinted 35 yards to the endzone with 7:16 to play to give Trinity the 21-16 lead. The touchdown would prove to be the pivotal play in a competitive game.


"We battled hard," River Oaks head coach Robert Hannah said. "It was a physical, defensive struggle and we came up short."

Trinity (9-0) had recorded several blow-out victories in 2008 before the Mustangs pushed them to the brink of destruction Friday night.

It now will be a chore Friday night against Prairie View for the Mustangs to make the playoffs.

Quarterback Cody Trichell was again instrumental in keeping the Mustangs hanging around the undefeated Saints.

"Cody (Trichell) had another good game," Hannah said. "He made some plays running and throwing against a good Trinity defense."

Trichell finished the contest with 137 yards and one touchdown rushing, mostly coming in the second quarter of action when the River Oaks offense came to life.

River Oaks scored 16 points in that second frame of action to take a 16-15 lead into the lockers at intermission.

The third quarter saw both teams come out of halftime sluggish. Neither offense managed a touchdown in the second half, a feat that River Oaks has not seen pressed against them until Friday night.

For now, Mustang nation must wait and hope the team garners a playoff spot.