NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior running back Eric Medina rushed for 104 yards against PCM.

MONROE — The STC football team traveled to Monroe on Friday night, Sept. 25, looking to avenge a lopsided loss last season to PCM. After a competitive first half full of opportunity for the Trojans, the Mustangs ran away in the second half on their way to a 42-3 victory.

When STC was forced to punt on the opening possession of the game, PCM got on the board first when sophomore Gavin Gibbs took the punt 60 yards for a touchdown. Less than three minutes into the game, the Mustangs had a 7-0 lead.

After the two teams exchanged punts on their next possessions, the Trojan offense came back onto the field getting a good starting position at the PCM 45-yard line. STC put together a nine play scoring drive, where they handed the ball off to senior running back Eric Medina on every play. Showing some of his strongest running of the season, Medina rushed for 36 yards to get the Trojans to the PCM 9-yard line. After Medina was tripped up for a minimal gain on third down, STC elected to attempt a short field goal. Senior Eli Cruikshank kicked it through the uprights and the Trojans cut the lead to 7-3 early in the second quarter.

On the ensuing PCM possession, after the Mustangs ran two plays for short yardage, they faced a third and three at midfield. On the snap, STC senior linebacker Kyle Youngbear blitzed and shot through the offensive line to stuff the PCM rusher for a loss of 5 yards. The Trojans had forced a punt and had a golden opportunity to seize momentum.

Starting on their own 26, STC found quick offensive traction when junior quarterback Ryan Brant ran for 18 yards on their first play. Two plays later, Brant found wide receiver Cruikshank for a 34-yard gain through the air. STC pushed the ball as far as the PCM 16 but were forced into a fourth down and five. Facing a key decision in the game, the Trojans elected to go for it. Running a good route, senior wide receiver Chanden Graybeal found himself streaking wide open into the end zone. But Brant’s pass was overthrown, and the Trojans missed a great opportunity to take the lead when they turned the ball over on downs.

STC senior linebacker Kyle Youngbear stuffs the PCM rusher for a five-yard loss.

It seemed to be a turning point in the game, as PCM took the next drive 84 yards to score a touchdown and push the lead to 14-3 at the half. In the second half, the Mustangs scored 28 unanswered points to put the final score at 42-3.

The Trojans have found the second half to be difficult this year in the games they have dropped. In their three losses this season, STC has been outscored in the second half by a combined score of 56-0.

On the night against the Mustangs, STC was led on defense by Youngbear, who recorded 13 tackles. Junior Izak Schroeder (4.5), senior Josiah Houghton (4), Cruikshank (4), junior Ethan Page (3), and Graybeal (3) were also among those who recorded tackles for the Trojans. Medina rushed 27 times for 104 yards. He also had 3 receptions for 16 yards. Brant finished 7/13 in passing for 52 yards.

The Trojans (2-3) now return home for Homecoming on Friday night, Oct. 2, when they play host to the Centerville Big Reds. Centerville comes into the contest with a record of 5-0. Last season, STC dropped their game against the Big Reds, 34-13. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at the STC high school football field.

STC junior quarterback Ryan Brant tiptoes the sideline while rushing the ball against PCM.

STC senior wide receiver Eli Cruikshank hauls in a pass against PCM.