TROJANS ROLL...as the running game went, so did the Arcanum Trojans in an impressive win over Bradford.

Story by Mark Harleman
Arcanum and Bradford squared off tonight with each squad looking for their first win of the year. Arcanum won the opening toss and deferred the ball to the Railroaders who quickly punted with a 3 and out offensive series. The Trojans then meticulously marched 58 yards on 12 plays for the first of 6 un-answered touchdowns. The Trojans on their opening drive used 3 different running backs with A.J. Aikman getting the bulk of the work, with help from Clint Hale and Tim Haney driving the ball in for the first score. The Railraoder defense was unable to stop the run as the Trojan offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage.

Arcanum continued it’s momentum on its second series of the night with the fourth play of their second position when Josh Stone connected with Clint Hale for a 45 yard Touchdown with 2:12 left in the first quarter. Clint Hale scored his second touchdown of the first quarter on an 87 yard touchdown run. Giving the Trojans a 21-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

Bradford’s defense did show some signs of tightening when in the second quarter they stopped Arcanum’s 10 play drive and forced the Trojans to turn the ball over on downs. Alex Frantz’s speed prevented the Trojans from getting to the outside and broke up two consecutive Trojan pass attempts. The railroaders took possession on its own 20 but after 2 plays coughed the ball up giving Arcanum the ball first and 10 at the Bradford35 yard line. Following 3 plays later the Trojans Brad Rothwell scampered 25 yards on the left side to give the Trojans a 28-0 lead. Arcanum quickly recovered a Bradford turnover on the kick off and marched 25 yards on 6 plays using backs A.J Aikman, Derrick Baker and finally Jake Banks to push the lead to 34- 0 before the half. Bradford did however show some form of offense with a 12 play 65 yard drive that stalled at the Arcanum goal line as time ran out to end the half.

The Bradford defense finally tightened in the second half only allowing Arcanum one touchdown in the 3rd quarter when Brad Rothwell scored his 3rd touchdown of the evening by breaking over the right side for a 20 yard touchdown run. The Bradford defense held Arcanum in check the rest of the night mainly to the defensive speed and toughness of Sophomores Alex Frantz and Cody Shafer. Every running and passing play Arcanum tried in the second half these two sophomores were in on the stop. The Railroaders are starting 5 to 6 sophomore and freshman on defense, actually showing some consistency after some early mistakes. The Railroaders are finally staying to a definitive game plan working with 6 starters that are either freshman or sophomores. The Railroaders are in transition once again with its 5th head coach in 9 years.