Trojans win Honor Bowl with third straight shutout

With a 64-0 blasting of Silverton of Oregon, Oak Ridge has got to be getting into uncharted waters. The Trojans have started the season with three straight shutouts and have outscored their opponents 182-0. In 10 games last season, the Trojans scored 186 points, so their next touchdown will eclipse their point total from a season ago, more than likely coming Thursday against Pleasant Valley in game number four. The Trojans have improved with each game, and they've scored more points in each game, and quite simply have overwhelmed all three opponents they've faced. The Trojans led Silverton, Oregon's 5A state champion a season ago, 49-0, at halftime and ran only 20 plays on offense. They had two interceptions returned for touchdowns; one for 29 yards by Sebastian Sutton and another for 55 yards by Jacob Potter. They also had two possessions on which lasted one play; both touchdown runs by Dwight Martin III, who scored on an 89-yard run and also on a four-yard run. Oak Ridge's opening drive of the game took eight plays; capped off by a three-yard run by Jake Hall. The team's last two scores before half took only 10 plays. The first drive was a six-play, 85-yard play, a 37-yard pass to Sutton being the biggest play. Five plays later, John Hayward hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass. On the final scoring drive of the half, Varella hit Kaleb Edwards for a 21-yard score. In the first half, the Trojans rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns on only seven carries. Martin III had two rushes for 93 yards and two scores by himself. Sutton caught two passes for 53 yards, as Varella completed eight passes to five receivers. Besides the interceptions on defense, Oak Ridge's defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage and had constant pressure on Silverton's quarterbacks. Markus Hoffman, Rolland Jaussi, Conner Dasmann and Jake Hall were either pressuring and sacking the quarterback or interrupting the Silverton run game and making tackles behind the line of scrimmage all night long. "Our defense was amazing," Hoffman said. "Our defensive line pressured the quarterback all game long and that pressure was great for our secondary. I really think we've got something special. We've got amazing team chemistry. I look forward to going to practice every day." Varella, who finished the night with 8-of-11 passing for 125 yards and two touchdowns, said, "Silverton is defending Oregon state champs so obviously they're good, but we're shocking people and we're going to continue to shock people until people realize we're a good team. Everyone is getting the love. Our defensive line is getting a lot of sacks; our linebackers are making tackles, our secondary is making interceptions. I'm throwing touchdowns to my receivers, and our running backs are scoring. It's been nice." Added Martin III, who had the scariest message for future opponents, "We're getting better and better every week. Our tempo on offense seems unstoppable. Maddox is facilitating the ball and our run game has been great. Our o-line is a powerhouse. They're big, strong and fast. They're some huge people. We're playing fast and physical right now." Oak Ridge scored twice in the second half; the first coming on a 47-yard run by Hall and the second on a 44-yard pass from Coleton Welch to Edwards. The game was the first of two on the evening in an event called the Honor Bowl, which honors military and first responders. Granite Bay defeated Spanish Springs, 23-3, in the second game. For the Trojans, Martin III earned the game's Most Valuable Player award for the Trojans, while Sutton earned the Character Award went to Sutton. "It's an honor to play in the Honor Bowl; it's a beautiful thing," Oak Ridge coach Casey Taylor said. "My Dad was a Vietnam Vet. My grandpa was at Pearl Harbor and it means a lot to me. We don't have enough time where we reflect on what America's about. Freedom is not free. To have a night to honor some veterans is something that's really important to me." Taylor was also happy with the way his team played and the result of the game. "It was a great game, a lot of delays to start because of the heat and the smoke index," Taylor said. "I'm proud of my guys. We got on them early. We've been really fortunate this year to get off to great starts and had a heck of one tonight. The defense has been lights out and set the table for us. Silverton's a great program; state champs in Oregon. We jumped on them and I think travel caught up with them, but I'm really proud of our guys. It was a good team effort. The defense has been outstanding, and our offense continues to move the ball."