Gallery • 26 Photos

photos by Ryan Cywinski

After beating Male 38-31, the Rocks turned the tables on the St. Xavier Tigers in the football Class 6-A Region One final at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.  Defense dominated the game as an Andrew Deye first-half field goal and a 14-yard Jailen Reed TD run in the fourth quarter gave Trinity a 9-3 win.

It is unusual that a team avenges two losses from the regular season in the playoffs. Male (35-34) and St. X (35-21) both took shots at Trinity in the regular season, taking down the Rocks  in very exciting games.

It was uncharacteristic of Trinity to drop games to both teams, but they knew they would have second chances. The chances were capitalized on, and the Rocks have been rolling in the playoffs.

Quarterback Ryan Young said, “We started clicking at the right time. Our passing game got better, which opened up the running game.”

Male was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the year. Now the Rocks hold the top spot because of improved offense and fewer turnovers and penalties.

Young said, “I was more excited to get another shot at Male. The first game was very close with lots of drama. It was the same way the second time as well. We had some plays saved because we knew we could see them again. We were able to overcome a lot of adversity as well.”

The Rocks (8-5) will travel to Meade County (10-2) for a state semifinal matchup on Friday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Young said, “We have to put more points on the board this week to win. We need our passing game to get going like it was against Male. Our defense needs to play the same way they did against St. X.”

The Rocks are confident they can claim the state championship after running through the two most difficult teams in the bracket.

Young said, “We have been pushing for state all year. We had a really tough regular-season schedule, but we knew as soon as the playoffs came around, it would be our time.”

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Former Trinity quarterback (2013) and current University of Louisville freshman Reggie Bonnafon led the Cardinals to a 31-28 victory over the University of Notre Dame Nov. 22. Longtime Louisville fan Don Massey said of the Cards’ first time facing the Irish, “It’s a long time coming. Getting to experience everything has been fantastic.”                                                                                                                                                      — Tommy McConville