Tosa West Drops a Tight Contest Against Still-Unbeaten Greendale, 35-20. Up Next: St Francis

The excitement of the Homecoming crowd wasn’t enough to spur the Trojans to victory against the Greendale Panthers, as they fell 35-20. The Trojans played well on defense and had signature bright spots on offense. But to win they would have to be nearly flawless – and that didn’t happen on Friday night.  Here’s a game report:

After the Trojans’ first offensive series ended with a punt, their next series seemed to have a nice rhythm to it. Trojan QB Jared Morzinski still had his throwing hand taped, but he and Zach Veit connected on a nice 40-yard pass because Veit made a smart adjustment to the ball. Runs by Greg Lewis and Truman Tyson got the ball to the Panther 20. But Morzinski’s next pass attempt was picked off by a leaping defender inside the five, ending the Tosa West threat. 

Greendale had no such trouble scoring to start the game. Their first two possessions resulted in touchdowns: a short run, and then a long pass to take the lead 14-0.

Back on offense with a minute left in the first quarter, the Trojans speedy back Demaris Purifoy was untouched as he followed pulling guard Christian Morzinski through the defensive line and raced 76 yards to pay dirt, and the score at the end of the first quarter was 14-7.

The only second quarter score was a 12-yard scamper by Panther QB Josh Ringleberg, and Greendale was up 21-7 at the half.

The second half started well for the Trojans. After they kicked off, and on the Panther’s second play their QB fumbled due to a solid tackle by Trojan linebacker Greg Lewis. The fumble was picked up and advanced inside the Panther 30 yard line by Roberthenry Davis. Solid running by Truman Tyson and Greg Lewis came up big – and Lewis crossed the goal line from three yards out making the score 21-13.

Two stalled drives by the Panthers and Trojans each ended with punts. During several second half defensive stands for the Trojans the inside guys were stout. Senior linebacker Niko Lewis and juniors Devin Tucker, Joe Harrington and Christian Cagle made excellent tackles that helped put the ball back into the hands of the Tosa West offense. On one defensive gem, safety Zach Veit wrestled the ball from a Greendale receiver before both went down, and the offense was back in business. 

But the Trojan offense couldn’t cash-in. Fans felt more variety was needed in Trojan play-calling: misdirection, or getting backs out on short pass routes with space to move. But Trojan slip-ups – penalties, incompletions and one more Panther pick on a tipped ball - kept the second half frustrating for everyone in Tosa West green and white.    

In the 4th quarter, Greendale scored twice more from the ground.  The Trojans got into the end zone once more on a Morzinski to Develyn Ferguson pass of 17 yards, resulting in the 35-20 final score.

The Trojans two gifted backs ran well: Purifoy finished with a game-high175 yards rushing on 16 attempts, while Greg Lewis had 15 rushes for 86 yards. 

The Trojan punt team deserves credit for making the Panther offense start deep in their own territory.  They stood up to several mad Panther charges and improved field position every time. Special KUDOs to long-snapper Elliot Rogahn and punter Zach Veit for accuracy and staying cool under pressure.

Who’s next?  Just announced are the Trojan’s final two cross-over conference opponents of the season. On Friday, Oct 11 the Trojans travel to take on St Francis, 2-5 overall and 1-4 in the Woodland East division. The final regular season game of the year is Senior Night, when Tosa West is at home against Cudahy on Friday, Oct 18.

What about the playoffs? With a current record of 3-4 but only 1-4 in the conference, the Trojan’s appear to be out of the playoff picture.

Did you see this game? Any comments on the game or the season?  Add your voice to the conversation.