Trojans rout Pioneers, 43-0
CALIFORNIA – In less than three minutes, this one was over. Taking over on their own 23 to open the game, California’s Trojans needed only six plays to score against West Greene Friday night at California University of Pennsylvania’s Adamson Stadium in the Class A Tri-County South opener for both teams, and rolled over the under-manned and over-matched Pioneers, 43-0.
Riding the hot hand of quarterback D.J. Martinak, whose 36-yard touchdown run at the 9:53 mark of the first period opened the scoring, California scored on its first five possessions to take a 35-0 lead at halftime. California’s first-half scoring drives lasted six, five, three, two, and three plays.
Martinak piled up 149 yards on seven carries in the first half, including second-quarter touchdown runs of 22 and 42 yards, as the Trojans improved to 2-1, 1-0.
Four-and-one-half minutes after Martinak’s initial touchdown, Dylan Hunter scored on a five-yard run, and Brad Tonini capped the first-half scoring with a two-yard run with 3:33 remaining in the second period.
“D.J. does a very good job of running our offense,” California coach Brady Barbero said. “He’s our on-field leader and keeps the offense moving. His speed and vision are two of his strengths.” Martinak also completed a pair of first-half passes to Wade Stinnett for 59 and 41 yards.
While California’s offense was in high gear, West Greene’s offense muddled through a first-half, gaining a mere 25 yards on the ground. West Greene had sustained drives of 10- and 8-plays in the first half, but came up empty. Ironically, WG ran 28 first-half plays to 21 for the Trojans and held onto the ball for five-and-one-half more minutes than California.
“We moved the ball at times,” WG coach Charles Harris said, “but couldn’t finish our drives. We missed some blocking assignments in key situations and, with three freshmen on the offensive line, our quarterback didn’t have any time to throw.”
Of the four seniors on the Pioneers’ roster, “only one really played,” Harris continued, “and we’re missing that senior leadership and experience.”
With a running clock in the second half, California backup quarterback T.D. Conway capped the scoring with a two-yard run with five minutes remaining.
West Greene was led by sophomore running back Curtis Jones who rushed for 43 yards on a dozen carries, while backup freshman quarterback Matthew Johnston completed 2-of-5 passes for 30 yards.