Class 4A No. 1 East Central didn’t come to Roncalli wearing white hockey masks, but was no less devastating in its black face masks and helmets.
A steady rain didn’t dampen the Trojans as they piled up 496 total yards in a 41-7 rout that left the Royals faithful in shock.
While Friday the 13th didn’t bug East Central (9-0), it was nothing but bad luck for Roncalli as the Trojans scored six touchdowns in the first half, all from 18 yards or more.
The Trojans ran their balanced offense to near perfection. Quarterback Cole Burton started off with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Brotherton. An interception of a Collin Ash pass then set up East Central on the Royals’ 37, and on the next play Burton again hit a wide-open Brotherton for a 37-yard score only 52 seconds after the first.
The rout was officially on.
Miami of Ohio-bound running back Josh Ringer scored from the 18 for the final score of the first quarter.
It only got worse in the second for Roncalli, as Brotherton blasted his way for a 62-yard touchdown run. Ringer had the next two touchdowns, one on a 58-yard pass from Burton and the next on a 37-yard run that started a running clock, something Roncalli usually initiates against its opponents.
Roncalli, which had been shut out in two straight games, did gain some pride as it went 94 yards and scored with a minute to go. Ash averted a blitz on fourth down and hit a wide-open James Guthrie for a 29-yard touchdown pass that ruined East Central’s bid for a seventh straight shutout win.
It was also the only time Roncalli got in Trojan territory, but it helps going into the playoffs.
“It’s good film for the guys to see down the road,” Roncalli coach Eric Quintana said. “We do have a good football team. We have guys that are showing up every day and we’re getting healthy.
“(East Central) is a good team.”
Coming in, East Central was on a huge roll, not only with the winning streak, but other important intangibles. The Trojans had scored 60 points in two straight games and might have made it this game, but with the running clock and East Central playing their substitutes in the fourth quarter.
Moreover, it was also the eighth of nine games where East Central forced a running clock, making them nothing short of a dominating force heading into the playoffs. It was also the Trojans’ first win on the Royals’ home turf.
East Central’s last loss was to Roncalli a year ago, when it dropped a 21-19 decision in Week 9.
Roncalli mustered 121 net yards Friday, with 94 of those coming on its last drive. East Central’s swarming defense befuddled the Royals’ offense.
Ash completed 11 of 19 passes for 69 yards.
Ringer ran for 136 yards, while Burton was 7 for 9 passing for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
The good news for the Royals is they will get another home game, as Shortridge visits next Friday for the first round of sectional play.
“That was the message to the guys,” Quintana said. “Whatever happened here (tonight) they can throw in the trash can. We’ll get better and see what we have to do.”
