Following a 1-3 record to start the season, the Trinity Knights have opened Cottonwood League play with four straight wins, including back-to-back victories on the road over Riverside Prep and Temecula Prep.
Last week, the Knights defeated the Patriots 41-7 and secured their fifth win of the season and are tied for first in the league with one week left in the season.
“Thursday’s win was a huge one for us. It secured our spot in the playoffs and set the stage for this week’s matchup, which will determine the conference champion,” Trinity head coach Dave Eastham said.
In the win over the Patriots, Patrick Cherry, who’s a tackle when out with the offense, scored a 60-yard touchdown in the win off a hook-and-ladder play that Eastham considered the highlight play.
“At most schools, he might have an opportunity to play tight end, but at a smaller school like ours, he’s needed to anchor the offensive line,” he said. “It was awesome to reward him and watch him succeed with the ball in his hands.”
Following the game, Eastham has credited all the offensive success to the offensive line as they are setting up the team for big wins.
“Our offensive line continued to be the foundation of our success, opening up running lanes and setting the tone for the offense,” he said. “Andrew Carlson has been a consistent leader for us, and Hudson Sweitzer, our workhorse in the backfield, is closing in on 1,000 rushing yards this season despite missing a few games due to injury.”
Also scoring in the win over the Patriots, wide receiver Christopher Brown scored an 80-yard touchdown off a hitch play, and Cade Herta had a big run that was called back due to a penalty but redeemed it with a touchdown reception.
Unfortunately for the Knights, the team did lose receiver Malachi Schuette to injury and has no timeline for when he will return.
With the win, the Knights go into the final week of the season having already clinched a playoff berth but also an opportunity to win the league title at home as they host the Santa Rosa Academy Rangers on Thursday.
And although the recent success has certainly given Trinity momentum as the Knights head into the championship game, Eastham takes it one week at a time.
“I wouldn’t call our recent league win momentum. They’ve certainly put us in a great position — both to contend for the league title and to be in the playoffs — but our focus remains the same. We take each week as its own unique challenge,” he said.
Trinity plays its final regular-season game against Santa Rosa Academy on Thursday at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
