ARCANUM – The Arcanum Trojans won both sides of the line in defeating the visiting Tri-County North Panthers 37-0 in Friday night WOAC varsity football action.
“Our offensive line played well tonight,” said Arcanum coach Matt Macy. “I felt like we were about as balanced as we have ever been and played pretty well.”
A Bishop Cartwright to Lucas Miller touchdown pass at 7:07 in the first and a completed two-point conversion pass to Truman Knaus gave the Trojans an 8-0 lead.
Arcanum upped its lead to 14-0 on a three-yard Lucas Miller TD run with 9:19 on the second quarter board.
The Trojans used a 59-yard Cartwright-to-MJ Macy touchdown pass with 1:08 remaining in the second quarter and a two-point conversion pass completed by Cartwright to Lucas Miller, and Arcanum led 22-0.
Tri-County North was moving the ball to get on the first-half scoreboard when Cole Kessler made a leaping interception in the end zone with six seconds remaining in the half. The teams went to the break, with Arcanum holding a 22-0 lead.
“We had a major injury; our heart and soul is out, Marcus Rayburn,” said Macy. “We had a bunch of guys step up.”
“We kept rotating guys,” Macy continued. “Colton Pool, who hadn’t started a varsity game, stepped up and played center; he did a great job. Cody Werling played center, and Rylan Brewer came in and played, guys that hadn’t been starting.
Arcanum took advantage of a fumble recovery at the 12-yard line, with Luke Midlam pulling in a touchdown pass from 12 yards out on the first play. A Cartwright to Lucas Miller completed a 2-point conversion pass, and the Trojans took a 30-0 lead at 9:58 in the third quarter.
Arcanum’s Ross Wagner intercepted a North pass at the 49 with 5:30 on the third quarter clock.
The Trojans got its last score of the night with 7:24 on the fourth quarter clock, with Ross Wagner going in from one yard out, giving Arcanum a secure 36-0 lead. Knaus’ PAT kick split the uprights, giving the home team a 37-0 advantage.
“Today it was next guy up,” said Coach Macy. “Very proud of our front. Our front dominated tonight. I’m real proud of them.”
Arcanum played out the clock with wholesale substitutions, with the younger players keeping the shutout intact.
“Our young guy group, it’s a shame we don’t have enough for JV,” Macy noted. “If we did, that young guy group would be dominating. They’re good.”
