STC Quarterback Cody Blocker looks for a running lane during last Friday night’s homecoming game against Center Point-Urbana. The Stormin’ Pointers defeated the Trojans 32-6. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

The South Tama County Trojan football team returned home on Friday, Sept. 20 for their annual Homecoming game. Facing the Center Point-Urbana Stormin’ Pointers, the Trojans hung tough for three quarters before the Pointers pulled away for a final score of 32-6.

CPU scored on their opening drive of the game when quarterback Brennen Merkle found Tyler Knight on a 14-yard touchdown pass. This was followed by a successful 2-point conversion, which pushed the score to 8-0.

The Trojan looked to answer on the following drive and found some success in the passing game. Senior quarterback Cody Blocker connected with receivers Eric Medina and Nick Upah for receptions of 17 and 11 yards, respectively. However, CPU scaled up the pressure on defense and a third down sack of Blocker forced a Trojan punt.

But South Tama was equal to the task on defense, as the next drive by the Pointers came to an end when junior Marcus Bear stuffed a CPU run attempt on fourth down. Defense continued to reign for the rest of the first half, as nearly every drive by both teams ended with punts. The only possession that did not was when time expired on CPU to end the half, keeping the score at 8-0, Pointers.

As the second half began, CPU scored on their opening drive as running back Brecken Anderson punched in a 25-yard touchdown run. Taking a 16-0 lead, the Pointers seemed to be in control.

A gaggle of STC and CPU players attempt to grab a jump ball during last Friday night’s contest in Tama. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

But South Tama continued to fight and an interception by junior Tanner Large gave the Trojans the ball at the CPU 35-yard line. Following the interception, the passing game once again found success, as Blocker found Medina for a 20-yard gain. Medina capped off that drive with a 27-yard field goal, and the Trojans cut the lead to 16-3.

STC came out fired up on defense on the ensuing CPU drive, as Upah came up with a tackle-for-loss on third down and forced a punt by the Pointers. However, turnovers bit the Trojans on their next two possessions, and CPU was able to add two more touchdowns to push the lead to 32-3.

Late in the game the Trojans put together a nice drive that once again ended in a Medina field goal of 26 yards to put the final score at 32-6, Pointers.

For the game, STC’s Blocker finished 9-of-14 for 110 passing yards to go with 16 rushing yards. Medina led the Trojans with three receptions for 80 yards, while Upah and senior Tyrus Clegg both logged 12 receiving yards. On the defensive side, the Trojans were led by Upah with 11 tackles, followed by Bear with 9.5, and Medina and junior Garrett Surman with 8.5 each.

South Tama (0-4) plays next on Friday, Sept. 27, against Williamsburg (3-1) at the STC Stadium. The Varsity game begins at 7:30 p.m. It is preceded by the Freshman/Sophomore game, which begins at 5:00 p.m. featuring the 3-1 Trojan team.

STC wide receiver Eric Medina, who finished the game with three catches for 80 yards, darts upfield with a horde of CPU defenders behind him during last Friday night’s homecoming game. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT