HAYS – Facing third down and 36 from their own 18 yard-line Troy quarterback Reid Greaser threw a deep pass into double coverage where it was knocked up into the air and caught by Troy’s Brody Winder who ran it in for the 82 yard touchdown pass putting Troy up 28-24 on the Plainville Cardinals late in the third quarter. The Trojans would hold on down the stretch and win their first ever that championship Saturday in Hays.
Troy, making their second straight title game appearance racked up more than 440 total yards of offense and scored on three plays of more than 60 yards in the victory.
Plainville started the game with a Riley Nyp touchdown run, his first of two on the afternoon, taking a 7-0 lead. But Troy needed just one play on their second possession to find the end zone, a 71 yard touchdown pass from Greaser to Cuttar Huss, tying the game at 7.
Troy took their first lead of the game with 13 seconds to play in the first quarter on a Brody Winder 61 yard touchdown reception giving the Trojans a 14-7 lead. But Hayden Friend answered on the ensuing kickoff, returning it 69 yards to tie the game at 14 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter the two defenses stepped up and only Plainville was able to get on the board thanks to a 27 yards field goal from Tanner Copeland, he was 1-for-2 on the day. Plainville led 17-14 at halftime.
Troy’s offense came to life once again in the third quarter outscoring Plainville 14-7. Tyler Franken hauled in a 30 yard touchdown pass to give Troy the 21-17 lead midway through the third quarter. The second touchdown, the eventual game winner proved to be too much for the Cardinals to overcome.
Plainville once again had an answer putting together a 10-play 70 yard drive that was capped off by Nyp’s second touchdown of the game taking a 24-21 lead.
On their next possession Troy ran into a stout Plainville defense. Following a penalty and a Willie Wilkerson sack Troy facing a third down and 36 from their own 18 yard line quarterback Reid Greaser lofted a pass into Plainville territory that was deflected and ended up in the hands of Brody Winder who ran it if for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning touchdown with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.
Plainville coach interview
In the fourth Plainville drove into Troy territory twice but turned it over on downs both times, including once at the two yard line.
Troy outgained Plainville 445 to 369 total yards. They racked up 374 yards through the air. Plainville finished with 194 rushing yards.
Reid Greaser, Troy quarterback was 14-21 with 374 yards, four touchdown and two inceptions. Plainville’s Hayden Friend finished 16-29 for 175 yards.
Friend also finished with a game-high 109 yards rushing on 13 carriers. Riley Nyp added 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Plainville, playing in their first state title game since 1985, finished the season 11-2. Troy wins their first ever state football championship and finishes 13-0.