By Russell Slaton
russell@themonitor.net

TRINIDAD–The Trinidad Trojans broke open a 14-14 tie with the Avalon Eagles by scoring 34 points in the second quarter to take control of the Sept. 24 contest, then added 33 more points in the second half to win 81-34.
Trinidad (3-2 in 2026) broke the 14-14 tie on the first play of the second quarter, when Colby Brown ran for a touchdown, with the 1-point conversion run putting the Trojans on top, 21-14. Next, with 5:26 remaining in the second quarter, Trinidad quarterback JJ Herring lofted a touchdown pass to Zakadrine Thirkhill, with another 1-point conversion increasing the Trojans’ lead to 28-14. After the Trinidad defense forced a turnover on downs at Avalon’s own 35-yard line, the Trojan offense traveled that short distance with a run by Brown and a Thirkhill touchdown jaunt to the end zone with 3:07 left before halftime, all of which led to a 34-14 advantage for Trinidad (the extra-point attempt failed).
After Avalon answered with an 85-yard touchdown run, Herring hooked up with Brendan Smith for a touchdown toss, after which Brown ran in for the 1-point conversion, adding up to a 41-22 Trinidad lead. Another defensive stop on downs for the Trojan defense with 22 seconds remaining in the first half was followed two plays later by another touchdown pass to Smith, with another 1-point conversion putting the Trojans on top at halftime by the 48-22 score.