Koroly tops 4,000 yards as Trinity heads toward postseason
GREENSBURG – It’s no secret that Joey Koroly is Trinity’s best offensive player and one of the best running backs in the WPIAL.
The senior proved that early Friday night against Class 4A Big Nine Conference foe Greensburg Salem, rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
But it wasn’t Koroly’s legs that led Trinity to a 42-14 road win over the Golden Lions, a team the Hillers were competing with for a playoff spot, but rather the player who is used to handing the ball off to Koroly.
Quarterback Dylan Kern completed 10 of 16 pass attempts for 192 yards and three touchdowns, and added a touchdown on the ground, to put Trinity (4-3, 5-3) in the Class 4A playoffs.
“We’ve done a nice job over the course of the season at getting better at spreading the ball around,” said Trinity head coach John Miller. “Dylan’s starting to show why he’s a three-year starter and a senior captain. Being able to get the ball out to other guys and throw it a little bit helps to open things up for Joey.”
Greensburg Salem head coach Dave Keefer said preparing to stop Koroly while also trying to stop a passing attack is a tall task for any defense.
“Their quarterback made a couple plays that really opened up the game for them,” Keefer said. “When you have to worry about Joey, and he’s a really good player, and the quarterback is then making plays, it makes it tough to defend.”
Kern threw an interception while scrambling in the first quarter, but Miller didn’t shy away from throwing the ball downfield. He said he trusts his quarterback and his passing attack to make big plays, and Kern knows that’s his job.
“When things fall apart, I’ve got to make a play and I know my team depends on me to do that,” Kern said. “As a captain, I’ve got to give it everything I’ve got for these guys.”
During Koroly’s 15-carry first quarter, the speedy back put the Hillers on the scoreboard first with a 1-yard touchdown run. Koroly, who finished with 158 yards rushing on 23 carries, would surpass 4,000 career rushing yards during the quarter.
“He’s meant a lot to Trinity, in both football and basketball, and it’s great to see him rewarded with that 4,000 yards,” Miller said. “I think he’s only the third back above (Class) AA in Washington County who’s ever reached that mark. It’s an incredible accomplishment.”
Kern said Koroly gives Trinity a weapon on offense that not many teams in the WPIAL have.
“You can’t stop that kid,” Kern said. “You’ll never find a kid with a bigger heart. He’ll give you everything he’s got.”
Kern then led Trinity to build up a 35-0 first half lead, accounting for four straight touchdowns. The senior quarterback hit junior wide receiver Cole Bair on touchdown passes of 22 and 54 yards.
In between those two touchdowns, Kern also hit AJ Mauro on a 9-yard pass and ran for a 2-yard sneak.
Greensburg Salem (3-4, 3-6) scored its first touchdown just before the end of the first half, as Trent Patrick, who was filling in for injured quarterback Jacob Hoyle, connected with Tyler Williams for a 33-yard score.
Near the end of the third quarter, Trinity’s Tanner Hudak initiated the running clock with a 7-yard run for the Hillers.
Patrick then ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 42-14 and cap the scoring.
Trinity concludes the regular season next weekend with a home game against Ringgold.
Kern said the Hillers will play with the same mindset they’ve used for the last few conference games.
“Every game is a playoff game,” Kern said.