NEW HOPE — New Hope’s historic year on the gridiron came to an end on Friday in a 50-41 loss to Canton in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
The Trojans (8-3) fell behind in a shootout with the Tigers, who moved the ball almost at will with quarterback Eric Gilkey III and an assortment of playmakers.
“I don’t think there’s any question about our kids and how they would fight, tonight just wasn’t our night,” Trojans head coach Allen Glenn said after the game. “It just wasn’t. We played a very good football team, an athletic football team, and it showed. Sometimes that happens in life, especially this time of year when you’re one game from it all being over. Unfortunately, tonight was that night for us.”
The Tigers’ commanding offense took control of the game early in the second half, and failed to score on only three drives all game. The Trojan defense was burned on two big plays by receiver Jayden Cration, prompting corner Cam Matthews to follow him on double teams, but that only opened up the playbook for Joseph Gray and Ty’Trevien Greenwood, who finished with two touchdowns each.
“They’ve got a really good player in Cration and he made a couple of plays in the first half,” Glenn said, speaking on Canton’s offense. “You go and try to shadow him and of course, at that point, it lightens the box. It’s a double-edged sword and they hit us on the run a time or two after that. A lot of respect for Canton and the job they did tonight. They had a good plan and executed well, and we came up short.”
The Trojan offense had its fair share of production as well. Freshman quarterback Tyrekus Brooks ran for four touchdowns on the ground and added another through the air to tight end Lonnie Shinn Jr. Running back Jacob Jefferson had a big night as well with a rushing touchdown and a 70-yard kickoff return.
The production was there, and twice in the second half the Trojans pulled within a score but they couldn’t get the stops on defense to keep their comeback hopes alive.
“I’m proud of the offense, we were able to move the ball well and we had some big plays in special teams that allowed us to have a short field a couple of times as well,” Glenn said. “Tyrekus is an unbelievable kid, first of all, does things the right way and has a bright future. I’m proud of him and his presence showed tonight. We’re excited he’s got a few more years in the black and gold.”
It was an emotional scene after the final whistle. Many Trojans were consoling each other as the realization set in that a remarkable season for the program was over.
In his first year as head coach, Glenn led New Hope to its winningest season in a decade. They’re still looking for their first playoff win since that 2014 season, but the Trojans have a lot of young talent returning next year to continue building on its new culture of winning.
“The future is bright here,” Glenn said, reflecting on his first year at the helm. “Hopefully we can rest on this right here and get back going, but I’m just proud of the seniors that stuck with us when we got here. They bought into the culture that we’re trying to build and I can’t say enough good things. We’ve got good kids here at New Hope.”
New Hope 41, Canton 50
Canton (8-3) — 6 19 18 7 – 50
New Hope (8-3) — 7 14 6 7 – 41
First quarter
NH – Tyrekus Brooks 4 run (Carson Rickman kick), clock 6:28
C – Joseph Gray 1 run (kick no good), clock 4:22
Second quarter
NH – Brooks 24 run (Rickman kick), clock 11:53
C – Jayden Cration 42 pass from Eric Gilkey III (Roelmier Matias), clock 10:01
NH – Brooks 53 run (Rickman kick), clock 9:10
C – TyTrevien Greenwood 11 pass from Gilkey III (kick no good), clock 6:48
C – Gilkey III 1 run (two-point run failed), clock 0:35
Third quarter
C – Kevarsia Taylor 6 run (kick no good), clock 8:58
C – Taylor 1 run (kick no good), clock 6:22
NH – Brooks 2 run (two-point pass failed), clock 6:01
C – Gray 77 run (kick no good), clock 5:41
Fourth quarter
NH – Jacob Jefferson 9 run (two-point pass to Lonnie Shinn Jr.) clock 11:17
C – Greenwood 16 pass from Gilkey III (Matias kick), clock 6:35
NH – Shinn Jr. 8 pass from Brooks (kick no good), clock 2:48
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