Gavin Bridgewater breaks loose into the Saydel backfield in Friday’s rout over the Eagles. Bridgewater carried for 120 yards as the Trojans shut out Saydel 33-0. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

The first win of the season is always sweet, and the South Tama County football team bounced back from a humbling Week 1 defeat to West Marshall with a 33-0 road win over Saydel last Friday night.

The Trojans (1-1) leaned on a clinical ground game to score 19 points in the first half and 14 more in the second. Rushing for 376 yards on 49 attempts, the Trojans were able to dominate the clock and the speed at which the game was played. Boden Koehler led the team with 142 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, while Gavin Bridgewater ran for 120 yards and one score on 16 attempts.

Kyler Smith had one score and 62 yards on his nine carries, and threw eight times, completing seven passes for 40 yards and one score. That touchdown went to Nolan Upah on his only grab of the night.

Smith also intercepted a pass on defense.

Defensive stat leaders were Jacob Collison who had eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Jordan Bly got the team’s only sack of the night and sophomore Jacob Youngbear picked up a fumble late in the game.

South Tama’s Andres Lugo (4) celebrates as he comes off the field during STC’s 33-0 shutout over Saydel. The Trojans out-rushed the Eagles 372-76 and better controlled the line of scrimmage to move their team to a 1-1 record. Photo by Darvin Graham

This week the Trojans will be on the road for the annual Steve Kriegel Memorial Trophy game against Grinnell.

The Tigers are 1-1 this season after narrowly escaping Benton 37-34 and getting blown out by Harlan 56-7.

The Trojans and the Tigers have traded blows over the years with Grinnell leading the series 23-12 dating back to 1968. South Tama’s most recent win over the Tigers was during a four-year winning stretch from 2014 to 2017.

Running back Boden Koehler (17) powers his way through the Saydel defensive line on Sept. 3. Koehler ran for a team high 142 yards and two touchdowns to help the Trojans to their first victory of the season. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

Quarterback Kyler Smith (5) leads his team in singing the school fight song in front of the South Tama crowd after the Trojans defeated Saydel 33-0. Smith completed all but one of his passes for 40 yards and a touchdown to go along with 62 yards rushing and another touchdown. -- Photo by Allison Graham