2009 Championship Won by Trojans
2009 Championship Won by Trojans
The Trojans held on to win the 2009 Championship. This makes the third time Coach Dennis Durand took his team to the win the big game. Willingboro fell a few minutes short of gaining their second title of the League. The Trojans got to a 12 point lead but Willingboro did not throw in the towel. Out of character for the tough running Panthers they went to the air numerous times to get down the field into the red zone. Each time they did the Trojans found some way to stop the fleet footed runners of the Panthers.
Late in the Fourth Quarter it seemed like the Trojans were going to seal the game shut when they intercepted a Panther Pass but the Panthers would not be denied. The Willingboro coaching staff kept their team's heads in the game and were able to overcome the pounding running of the Trojans.
After the 4 minute warning in the 4th quarter Willingboro went to the air again for a 30+ yard pass and into the red zone again. This time their fast runners paid off and they struck gold and scored. But as is in any meeting of two good teams the Trojans found a way to step it up one more notch and block the ever important Point after kick. This had the the coaches in the stands wondering if Willingboro would go for the onside kick or try and pin the Trojans deep. They opted to pin them deep and they did. The kick went over the head of the deep man for the Trojans and the Trojans took possesion at the 10 yard line.
Although the Panthers sensed a chance to at least tie the game the Trojans took 8 plays to get the ball to their own 30. Now the Trojans, who went away from their no punt style during most of the game, went back to that style and gave it to their big back #14 Jared. Needing only 3 yards he got a hard fought 5 yards but he kept trying for more and broke it for another 30+ until he got caught by a saving tackle on the Panthers 20 yard line. By this time there was only a minute 40 left on the clock. The Panthers used their last time out and the Trojans ran out the clock to win their third title.
Both teams gave the fans a great game. In an earlier meeting of these two teams it was a no contest as the Trojans won easily but the Panthers did not let that cloud their vision for a titlte. Both teams and coaching staffs should be commended on their achievment this year.
Stay tuned as the league will be back next year. Spring practice starts March 1st 2010. See all of you then.
