Trinity too strong for Albert Gallatin
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Trinity’s Dajour Hull runs the ball down the field for a touchdown in the second quarter against Albert Gallatin on Friday, September 25.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Trinity’s quarterback Dylan Kern runs the ball past Albert Gallatin’s defense for a first down during the second quarter of Friday night’s game.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Trinity’s Josh Durig scores a touchdown in the first quarter against Albert Gallatin on Friday, September 25.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Trinity’s coach Jon Miller gives a high five to Tyler Denman after another Trinity touchdown in the fist half of the game against Albert Gallatin.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Trinity’s Sam Trapuzzano tackles Albert Gallatin’s Devin Carney, knocking the ball out of his hands during the first quarter of Friday night’s game.
It’s been a mixed bag of results through three games of the high school football season for Trinity. There’s been a pair of blowouts, one a win and one defeat, and then a close road loss at Belle Vernon, which went out the next week and won at Thomas Jefferson.
So it’s possible even some of the Hillers players and coaches aren’t sure how good the team is. They looked to make a statement in Week 4 against Albert Gallatin.
Bolstered by the return of running back Joey Koroly, Trinity emphatically made that statement, rolling to a 69-22 victory over Albert Gallatin Friday night in a Big 10 Conference game at Hiller Stadium.
”It’s always good to do something like that, and a lot of kids got to play, which is good for us,” said Trinity coach Jon Miller. “I think we’re starting to find out what kind of team we have. That’s one of the trials of the first year when you’re with a program.”
The victory was key for Trinity, which evened its record at 2-2 overall and in the conference. Still remaining on the schedule are formidable foes Thomas Jefferson (next week), West Mifflin, and Ringgold.
Two of those are road games.
Koroly was actually cleared for play last Thursday, but Miller wanted the sophomore to have a full week of practice before returning to action.
The extra work appeared to benefit the sophomore, but he almost could’ve taken another week off with Dajour Hull in the lineup. Hull started the game for the Hillers and gave Albert Gallatin (0-4, 0-4) plenty of problems. The senior’s speed allowed him to find big holes before even being grazed, let alone tackled. He gained 166 yards on just 10 carries and had touchdown runs of 27 and 40 yards.
”We didn’t need to rush Joey back,” Miller said “Dajour is a pretty good football player. I got two backs. Those two are going to share snaps.”
Miller rotated Koroly in about every other possession, and Koroly made the most of his time, scoring three touchdowns in the game’s first 14 minutes. He added a fourth touchdown just before halftime, and he rushed for 127 yards on 13 attempts. Neither he nor Hull played in the second half after leading the Hillers to a 56-7 halftime lead.
”It was great to be back out there,” said Koroly. “Couldn’t be better. I feel I have to work for my position again because Dajour is a helluva running back. The both of us are running really hard.”
The only blemish for Trinity was the Hillers actually trailed in the game just 19 seconds in. Joey Embacher took the game’s opening kickoff 48 yards out near midfield, then a blown coverage left him all alone down the right sideline for a 51-yard touchdown reception.
The Colonials only gained 49 yards the rest of the first half. Embacher scored twice in the second half.
”Next week will be the test,” said Miller about Trinity’s trip to Thomas Jefferson. “To me they’re still the best team and best program in the conference. That’s going to be our litmus test.”
Preston Miller rushed for a pair of scores for Trinity in the second half.