By Brad Hallier
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Trinity Catholic lost just two regular-season games last season, but they were important ones. Two district losses to Inman and Conway Sprints meant, despite a strong season, Trinity had to play on the road in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs, where the Celtics lost in overtime.
The margins in the district are just as fine this season, and Trinity nabbed a second crucial district win Friday, using a strong defense in upending Inman 20-6.
Trinity forced four Inman turnovers, and turned three of those into touchdowns.
A first-quarter interception by Gavin Wilson led to a 45-yard touchdown pass from Drew Dechant to Eric Armour. In the second quarter, Inman had first-and-goal at the Trinity 1-yard line, and after a false start penalty and a couple running plays, Trinity’s Gavin Judy intercepted a pass in the end zone.
Judy’s interception led to another touchdown pass, this from 13 yards from Dechant to Wilson.
Inman cut the deficit to 13-6 at halftime on a Talon Welch 1-yard touchdown run, and the Teutons were on the brink of another touchdown in the third quarter, when the ball was fumbled out of the Trinity end zone, giving Trinity a touchback.
The Celtics turned that into another touchdown as Dechant fired a 76-yard touchdown pass to Zeke Suter.
Trinity improves to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in district play, while Inman falls to 1-4 and 0-2. Trinity will next take on much-improved Medicine Lodge, which earned a strong district win Friday over Medicine Lodge.
