Trumann scored early and often, racing to a 42-0 halftime advantage, and went on to trounce the Lions 42-14 in Manila’s home opener Friday night at Lion Field.
Trumann got on the board with 6:27 left in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown keeper by quarterback Koltan Jones. Will Ryan White added the point after for a 7-0 Wildcat lead.
Trumann scored again when Jared Carter blocked a Logan Hamilton punt, which Hamilton recovered in the end zone for a Wildcat safety, leaving Trumann with a 9-0 lead at the 5:15 mark.
Trumann took the free kick and returned it all the way to the Lion 25-yard line, where, on the first play from scrimmage, Noah Milligan burst through the heart of the Lion defense into the end zone for a touchdown. The point after attempt failed, leaving the Wildcats with a 15-0 lead with 4:37 left in the opening quarter.
Manila quarterback Lane Sims hooked up with Brett Carter for a 33-yard completion, giving the Lions a first down at the Trumann 29. On the next play Sims was sacked from behind and lost the ball. Trumann’s M.J. Barnes recovered at the Wildcat 43. Cade Gartman then bolted 57 yards on Trumann’s first play from scrimmage following the turnover to put the Wildcats on top 21-0.
Trumann scored three more touchdowns in the second quarter. Jay Taylor Morgan bulled in to the end zone from a yard out. Carter got his second block of the night and the Wildcats turned it into a score when John Dunman scooped and scored from 40 yards out, pushing the Trumann advantage to 35-0. The Wildcats capped off their first half scoring barrage when reserve running back Cole Bingham rambled 38 yards for a 42-0 halftime advantage.
Manila finally got on the board with 5:38 left in the third period when Sims connected with Grant Salzer on a 42-yard touchdown strike. The two-point conversion run was no good.
Manila closed out the scoring when Sims skirted into the end zone from three yards out with 8:49 left in the game. Sims’ two-point conversion run set the final score at 42-14.
The Wildcat finished with 263 rushing yards and 293 total yards. Gartman led the way with five carries for 68 yards. Morgan rushed five times for 48 yards while Bingham carried three times for 47.
Manila was held to 145 total yards with just 47 coming on the ground. Sims completed 6-11 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Carter had two receptions for 38 yards, Salzer had one grab for 42 while Michael Parker had one reception for 19 yards. Robert McCallie had one catch for 13 yards while Cameron Wilson snared one pass for two yards. Sims led the Lions in rushing with 11 carries for 22 yards while Wilson rushed two times for 11 yards. Hamilton was held to seven yards on four carries while Carter rushed three times and gained four yards.
The Lions (0-2) will try to pick up their first win of the season when they travel Friday night to Brookland.