UTICA — Blane Ball blocked out a rough start and rallied to lead his Centerburg teammates to a 21-6 season-opening win on Friday night at Utica.
The Trojans’ quarterback threw two interceptions in the first half. The second was especially costly, a 43-yard pick-six by the Redskins’ Gavin Tussey.
“I think I bounced back pretty good from those two interceptions,” Ball said.
Despite the score, Ball had to stay focused. He had to keep throwing the ball down the field.
With little over four minutes left in the half, Ball fired a 23-yard TD pass to Isaiah Sule to give the Trojans’ a 7-6 halftime lead.
Miles Marshall gave his squad a 14-6 edge with a 25-yard sweep around end to push the margin to 14-6.
Centerburg’s defense was lights out all night, picking off three interceptions. The most consequential was a 46-yard pick-six by Trevin Harris.
“We know their past concepts so I knew it was coming,” Harris said. “I just cut on it and I was gone.”
Now it’s on to Ontario for Marshall and company.
“It’s the first game, not pretty but I think we wore (them) down as the game progressed,” coach Andy Colella said.
“In the end, I’m proud of them. They stayed focused on what the task was.”