Turnovers prove costly to Trinity against Latrobe
LATROBE – Ja’Tawn Williams scored two touchdowns, including one of Latrobe’s two interception returns for scores in the fourth quarter, and the Wildcats defeated Trinity 25-7 Friday night in a Big Seven Conference contest.
The loss drops Trinity’s record to 1-2 in the conference and 3-3 overall. It also makes the Hillers’ path to the playoffs a little tricky. Latrobe (2-1, 4-2), meanwhile, gained the inside track on at least third place in the conference.
After a scoreless first quarter, Latrobe scored two touchdowns in a span of less than four minutes in the second period.
The Wildcats capped a drive with a 10-yard touchdown run off left tackle by tailback Brody Prohovic. The extra-point kick was no good.
Latrobe then recovered a fumble at the Trinity 36-yard line on the ensuing drive. A 30-yard completion on a swing pass set the Wildcats up with a first down on the Trinity six-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback John Wetzel completed a seven-yard fade pass to Williams for a touchdown and a 12-0 Latrobe lead with 2:34 left in the first half.
Trinity then drove to the Latrobe 20-yard line with less than 10 seconds left in the first half. A fourth-down pass into the end zone fell incomplete.
Latrobe drove into Trinity territory on the opening drive of the second half before the Hillers’ Tony Cipoletti intercepted a pass. However, Trinity was penalized on the play for roughing the passer, negating the interception.
Latrobe ended up turning the ball over on downs at the Trinity 26-yard line and the Hillers drove 74 yards in 11 plays for their only touchdown. An 18-yard pass from Jonah Williamson to Dante DeRubbo gave Trinity a first down at the Latrobe nine, and Williamson ran the ball into the end zone on the next play. Andy Palm’s extra-point kick cut Latrobe’s lead to 12-7 with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
Latrobe drove deep into Trinity territory on its next possession as a 37-yard pass to Williams put the ball at the Hillers’ eight. The drive stalled and the Wildcats set up for a 21-yard chip-shot field goal, but the snap was high and holder’s tossed na incomplet pass, turnign the ball over to Trinity.
The Hillers moved the ball aweay from the goal line, but Williamson, while under heavy pressure, had a pass intercepted by linebacker Alex Tatsch, who returned it 25 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that put Latrobe up 19-7 with 7:17 remaining.
Trinity tried to trick play on its next possession and it backfired. Luke Lacock took a handoff from Williamson and attempted a throwback pass to the quarterback. The pass was intercepted by Williams and returned for the Wildcats’ second defensive score of the quarter.
Williamson completed 11 of 23 passes for 162 yards. He also rushed for 106 yards on 24 carries.