After early scare, Trenton rolls past West Windsor
TRENTON >> A huge plus for any football team is its ability to beat you in a variety of ways with a variety of people.
All of this was on display on Saturday afternoon as Trenton mercy ruled West Windsor, 54-13, behind big plays from its offense, defense and special teams as well as touchdowns from six different players.
With the victory, Trenton improved to 2-0 heading into a major test Friday night at Rancocas Valley. Although RV is 0-2, keep in mind those losses were to South Jersey powerhouses Shawnee and Williamstown.
Although the final score doesn’t indicate it, a very young West Windsor squad (0-1) is actually a vastly improved team with good numbers and size.
Sure enough, West Windsor stunned Trenton right away with a 69-yard touchdown pass from promising sophomore quarterback Shane Johnson to George Battle IV. The visitors also had another long touchdown pass in the first quarter wiped out by a holding call.
It looked like this might just be a competitive game at that point, but when the momentum turned Trenton’s way it quickly turned into an avalanche.
First, Trenton drew even late in the first quarter on a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore Jermaine Tillery. It was the first of three straight turnovers by West Windsor and Trenton took full advantage with a 28-point explosion to take a 35-7 lead at the half.
The first TD of the second quarter was on a 1-yard run by James Hubbard, who consistently piled up yardage with quarterback keepers around right end.
From there, Trenton scored on a 26-yard interception return by Devin Hairston on a tipped pass, a 17-yard pass from Hubbard to Lavor Funderburg and a 9-yard run by Hubbard on a fake field goal with 1:04 remaining in the half.
This was not your normal fake field goal as Trenton was actually in a muddle huddle when the ball was snapped. West Windsor appeared to be in a good position, but instead Hubbard manged to shake off a tackle on a very athletic play to find his way into the end zone.
“I made the call,” replied Trenton coach Greg Hyslop when asked if the fake field goal was the plan all along. “In my time here I’ve never gone for a field goal. They (West Windsor) lined up right, but I went with it and James made a great play all on his own.”
Any thoughts the second half might somehow be different ended when the Tornadoes stormed down the field and Tillery capped the drive on an 8-yard run. Trenton’s depth is reflected in the fact Tillery didn’t even start the game in the backfield, but came in early when Ari Jenkins was taken out with a minor foot injury.
“I’ve been telling people James is a football player,” said Hyslop. “He’s very talented. And he just turned 15.”
Tillery’s second touchdown put the running clock into effect. The Tornadoes later got a TD on a 1-yard plunge by fullback Jaron Encaracion and a spectacular 71-yard bolt by Ricky Brown, who doubles as one of the best kickers Trenton has had in years.
West Windsor, meanwhile, got a second touchdown when Johnson hooked up with Makhi Thompson on a 25-yard crossing pattern in the fourth quarter against the Trenton subs.
“West Windsor has improved considerably,” said Hyslop. “They have good skill people. They can beat some teams.”
Obviously, so can Trenton.
West Windsor (0-1) Trenton (2-0) 7 0 0 6 — 13 728712—54
WW-Battle 69 pass from Johnson (kick good)
T-Tillery 60 int. return (Brown kick) T-Hubbard 1 run (Brown kick) T-Hairston 26 int. return (Brownkick) T-Funderburg 17 pass from Hubbard (Brown kick)
T-Hubbard 9 run (Brown kick) T-Tillery 8 run (Brown kick) T-Encaracion 1 run (Brown kick) W-Thompson 25 pass from Johnson (kick blocked
T-Brown 71 run (run failed).