With four matchups against each other in the playoffs since 2008, Allen ended up taking the latest chapter in this saga as they defeated Euless Trinity 34-25 inside Eagle Stadium Friday night in another classic matchup.
In a closely contested game, Allen came out the gate ready to play and swung the momentum early in their favor when they held Euless Trinity to a three-and-out on their first drive. Allen would immediately capitalize on offense as they drove down the field and quarterback Mitchell Jonke hit receiver Tevyn Stevenson for a 9-yard score, putting the Eagles up first on the scoreboard with a 7-0 lead.
Euless Trinity would experience some more struggles on offense as the Allen defense would once again hold firm and force Trinity to another three-and-out. Allen would then go up 10-0 the ensuing drive following a 26-yard field goal.
Facing a 10-0 deficit at the start of the second quarter, Euless Trinity remained patient with their signature ground game and it would soon come to life. Trinity would run the ball ten straight times to start the second and it would culminate in a 5-yard score for running back Courage Keihn. Allen would counter with a running score of their own from Brock Sturges to go up 17-7 with 1:40 left before the half but Trinity would be unfazed as they would quickly score before the half again to head into the locker room with a 17-13 ball game.
Allen, who deferred to the half, would quickly increase their lead as Taj Bickham returned the kickoff for a 92-yard touchdown. Euless Trinity not willing to give without taking would score at the 4:08 mark to make the game 24-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
Euless Trinity would take their first lead of the night after Courage Keihn ran it in with 9:36 remaining to make the score 25-24, but Allen responded with a 12-play drive and go up 27-25 following a 20-yard field goal. Allen would fend off the running game of Trinity and take over on downs to conjure a ground attack that ate up most of the clock and put Allen back on top 34-25 with 1:15 left.
“I’m just so proud of our coaches and our players and for us getting to 1-0. I couldn’t be prouder of our great staff and players and all the hard work we put in this week. There was a lot of great effort tonight,” said Allen head coach Terry Gambill. “We need to stay humble, stay focused and take it one day and one play at a time. We got to 1-0, now we need to get to 2-0 and so forth, one day at a time!”
Allen running back Brock Sturges rushed for 127 yards and one touchdown while quarterback Mitchell Jonke passed for 99 yards and had both a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Allen with the victory advances to the area round as they will face the winner of the South Grand Prairie and Belton game.
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