NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC sophomore quarterback Ryan Brant looks for running room against Louisa-Muscatine.

LETTS — After a difficult loss to Union in Week Two of the season, the STC football team went back to work.

“Coming off of the loss we cracked down a bit at practice,” said senior co-captain Wes Hanus. “We got each other in gear.”

The approach paid off in Week Three, as the Trojans traveled 114 miles to Letts on Friday, Sept. 12, to face Louisa Muscatine. Using a dominating run game and a stifling defense, the Trojans cruised to a 49-6 victory.

STC started the game with the ball and leaned on junior running back Eric Medina to lead the charge. Starting at their own 34-yard line, Medina rushed for nearly 80 yards on the drive, after STC had two major penalties sprinkled in. Medina capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead.

But the Falcons answered back quickly, as junior quarterback Gaije Carter ran for a 65-yard touchdown on the second play of their first possession. But the point-after-attempt was blocked by sophomore Ryan Brant to preserve a 7-6 STC lead.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior defensive lineman Manny Cervantes looks to bat down a pass from Louisa-Muscatine quarterback Gaije Carter.

Following the quick answer by Louisa Muscatine, the Trojan offense began to exert their will. STC had four remaining possessions in the first half and they scored a touchdown on each one. Medina ran for touchdowns of 59 and 14 yards; senior Marcus Bear scored on a 5-yard touchdown run; and Brant found junior wide receiver Eli Cruikshank on a 6-yard touchdown reception.

The Trojans added a special teams score when they forced a Falcon punt, and senior co-captain Nick Upah ran the punt back 47-yards for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Trojan defense forced three-and-outs on three of the Falcons five remaining possessions in the first half. On one of the other possessions, senior defensive back Tanner Large intercepted a pass. When all was said and done, the Trojans went to the halftime locker room with a convincing 42-6 lead.

In the second half, play continued with a continuous clock since the Trojans had a lead of 35 points or greater. In a quick moving half, STC added a score when junior Michael Henry broke off a 15-yard touchdown run. The Trojan defense continued to shut down Louisa Muscatine, and STC left town with the 49-6 victory.

“The team played well as a whole tonight and I’m proud of them,” Hanus said after the game. “The loss last week humbled us, but it also did us some good.”

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – Trojan running back Eric Medina finds lots of running room against Louisa-Muscatine. Medina finished with 183 rushing yards on the night.

Medina led the Trojans in rushing with 183 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. Sophomore Izak Schroeder had a solid game, as well, adding 57 yards on 8 carries. Brant finished 5/8 in passing with 66 yards. Cruikshank led the team in receptions with two for 20 yards. On defense, STC was led by Bear (9.5 tackles), senior Garrett Surman (8 tackles), and junior Kyle Youngbear (7.5 tackles).

The Trojans (2-1) now set their sights on homecoming week and a matchup with Albia (2-1) during Week Four. The matchup also represents STC’s first district matchup of the year. The game will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the STC high school football field.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC sophomore running back Izak Schroeder leaps to avoid a tackle against Louisa-Muscatine.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior defensive back Tanner Large (right) intercepts a pass against Louisa-Muscatine. Also going for the interception is Trojan sophomore safety Ryan Brant (left).

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC junior Eli Cruikshank hauls in a touchdown pass in the first half against Louisa-Muscatine.