Trinity Outscores Champagnat With Running Game, Win Back-To-Back State Championships

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Marcus Benjamin

Tallahassee, FL — Utilizing a running game to outscore a pass-heavy attack usually is not a recipe for success.

Tonight it worked.

The Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Conquerors led by junior running back Treyaun Webb and sophomore running back Darnell Rogers used that formula to defeat the defending 2A champions of Champagnat. The two running backs combined for 346 yards rushing.

Treyaun, Webb, Running Back Trinity Christian

Trinity Christian (10-4) defeated the defending 2A state champions Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (10-3) 41-23 to win back-to-back state championships and their ninth overall.

“Me and him have been playing together since we were seven,” said Webb of backfield partner.  “No one can stop us when both of us are in the backfield together and we showed it tonight.”

The private school has roughly a population of about 1,200 students plays big in big moments. It was the second year in a row that the Duval County team defeated a team from South Florida to win the state championship.

It Was Over When…

Rogers (featured image) scored his second touchdown of the game with 1:09 left, a one-yard run over the goal line. The sophomore rushed for 173 yards on 17 carries.

“It feels great because in Pop Warner they made a rule that me and him could not be on the field at the same time,” said Rogers of his fellow running back. 


This game had all the makings of a shootout after the first two drives. Champagnat marched down the field and scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Ennio Yapoor to Kelvin Blount.

Trinity fired back with an opening drive score of its own when Webb broke through a tackle at the line of scrimmage and used his speed to run past defenders for a touchdown.


The Conquerors would then take the lead for good with their next possession. Freshman quarterback Colin Hurley fired a pass across the middle to Seth Bialek for a 14-yard score.

In the second quarter, wide receiver Fred Highsmith made a 59-yard catch and run in Lion territory, but the senior was caught from behind by Jadin Belus.

Jadin Belus tackling Fred Highsmith

The Lions defense would come up with a huge stop to end the drive as junior Antron Williams dislodged a Hurley pass that would fall into the arms of Jamaal Sims.

Yapoor would fumble on the next possession at mid-field and the Conquerors would recover. Trinity would fail to move the ball however again as they would turn the ball over on downs with 24 seconds left in the half.  Trinity took a 14-7 lead into the break.

Trinity started the second half much like the first, with a touchdown drive. Webb once again rushed into the end zone getting the edge and winning the race to the pylon on a 12-yard run.

It was a wild fourth quarter to say the least. After Rogers’ first touchdown, a three-yard run, Yapoor would rush in for a an eleven yard score to bring the Lions within two scores. He would top it off with two-point conversion reception (Pass from Marvin Sims).

Champagnat would find themselves down 34-15 late in the fourth quarter but the Lions kept fighting.  Yapoor found his senior receiver Sims who tightrope the sideline on a 51-yard touchdown.  Champagnat attempted an onside kick on the following possesion recovered by the Conquerors and Rogers would bolt in for 46-yard touchdown to pad his stats.  Sophomore cornerback Jaykob Jones would officially seal it with an interception with under a minute left. 

Big Time Players

Darnell Rogers, Running Back, Trinity – Averaged 10.2 per carry including a long of 46 yards.

Treyaun Webb, Running Back, Trinity – Had over a 100 yards rushing in the first half and scored two touchdowns.

Caden Morrell, Linebacker, Trinity – Five solo tackles, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

Cameron Anderson, Linebacker, Trinity – Two-and-half sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Ennio Yapoor, Quarterback, Champagnat – The freshman completed 21-of-34 for 332 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also gained 53 yards rushing and scored on the ground, but was sacked five times. 

Benson Prosper, Wide Receiver, Champagnat – The senior had seven catches for 80 yards

Kevin Blount, Wide Receiver, Champagnat – The 2023 wideout had three catches for 83 yards and touchdown 

Jaylin Terzado, Wide Receiver, Champagnat – The 2021 receiver had five receptions for 68 yards

 

Trinity Christian won its ninth to move into a tie with University Christian (Jacksonville) for third-most all-time.

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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