AHSAA PLAYOFFS: Trinity passes test against Saks

Trinity’s Walker McClinton looks for an open receiver over Saks’ Keveontae Elston in the Wildcats’ first-round win on Friday. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Walker McClinton had to be happy when he watched game film of the Trinity’s first-round playoff opponent.

The Wildcats’ quarterback saw how Saks loved to crowd the line of scrimmage and played a defensive alignment that included just three defensive backs and knew Friday’s game would feature plenty of passing.

“In practice the whole week, that’s pretty much what we were planning for,” he said. “I was super excited at the opportunity I was going to get to throw it a bunch. I throw it a good bit anyway, but I knew I was going to get to throw it a good bit because of the way they run their defense. I was very excited for the opportunity I had.”

McClinton completed 16 of 20 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns, with one more touchdown pass wiped out by a penalty. After a slow start, he threw at least one touchdown pass in each of the last three quarters as the Wildcats rolled to a 37-0 win over Saks at Ragsdale-Boykin Field.

“That team was a run-oriented team because of the teams they play,” McClinton said. “They probably haven’t played a team like us who throw it a bunch. My line had a heck of a night and so did my receivers. I just want to thank them.”

Equally impressive was the Wildcats’ defense on the Saks offense, especially the talented Gavin Doss. The junior quarterback ran 8 yards on his first play from scrimmage, threw 11 yards on the second play, added an 11-yard run three plays later and threw a screen pass that covered another 17 yards and a first down with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter.

That was it for Saks, which would gain 48 yards and three first downs on its first seven plays, but had no more first downs and actually lost 7 yards over the final 42:12.

“I think we really got in our groove after that first drive,” said senior defensive tackle Harrison Parkman, who led all tacklers with seven stops. “I think we started hitting on all cylinders and everybody was clicking.”

Doss, who was tackled behind the line of scrimmage four times and sacked another three times, finished with minus 4 yards on 16 carries.

“He was really good, he was quick and he could move around,” Parkman said, “but I think our defensive linemen stayed flat and had a really good game.”

His head coach agreed.

“We didn’t play last week -- I still thought we had good preparation -- but I knew it would take us a while to adjust to the speed of the game defensively,” Trinity coach Granger Shook said. “So they had that first drive, a good long drive, but once we got adjusted to the speed, I thought our boys played really well.”  

After a scoreless first quarter, McClinton connected with Winston Phillips twice, recording touchdowns of 27 and 35 yards for a 14-0 lead. Another touchdown pass, a 48-yard reception by Webber McClinton, was wiped out by a holding penalty and the Wildcats were forced to settle for a 35-yard field goal by Will Owen for a 17-0 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, McClinton hit DM Lieux with a 35-yard touchdown pass and flipped a pass out in the flat to running back Mike Jones, who bounced outside of one defender and cut inside another to complete a 29-yard scoring reception for a 30-0 lead.

Lieux added another touchdown reception, while two more rushing touchdowns were erased by penalties.

“Our O-line gave Walker a lot of time,” Shook said. “Walker capitalized on it and had a phenomenal game. Winston Phillips stepped up tonight. DM Lieux stepped up tonight.”

Jones finished with 80 yards on 13 carries, but it wasn’t a night for the running backs. McClinton spread the ball around to six different receivers, led by Lieux’s 101 yards on six receptions.

“I like hitting them and moving them around and letting Mike (Jones) do his job, but it’s also good we’ve got Walker back there who can really do good,” Parkman said. “I think we just really came out, ready to hit somebody in the mouth, and finished good.”

Trinity (9-2) will travel to Mobile next week to play Mobile Christian in the second round of the 3A playoffs.

“I know we’ve got a big test coming up,” Shook said. “I know (Mobile Christian coach Ronnie) Cottrell well. He’s going to have his team ready. Hosting the first round was huge for us. Now we’re going to have to handle a road trip well. But I’m glad we get another opportunity to play.”