The playoff journey for Trinity Classical Academy concluded on November 14, 2025, with a 14-6 defeat against Pioneer in a Division 14 matchup held at Hart High. Despite a season characterized by resilience and limited player availability, the Knights were unable to secure a victory in challenging weather conditions marked by heavy rain.
Trinity, which had recently celebrated its first-ever win in an 11-man playoff game, faced significant hurdles during the match. The team, featuring just 23 players, relied heavily on standout performers like Andrew Carlson and Hudson Sweitzer. However, penalties and poor field conditions hampered their offensive efforts.
Dave Eastham, the head coach of Trinity, commented on the impact of the weather, saying, “Rainy weather is football weather. But in the rain, especially with the injuries we’ve had, we just don’t have a passing offense.” This limitation became evident as the game progressed, with the Knights struggling to gain significant yardage on crucial downs.
The match began with an early lead for Trinity. Following a tipped pass by Pioneer quarterback Noah Anderson, senior defender Patrick Cherry intercepted the ball and returned it for a touchdown, putting Trinity ahead 6-0 after a blocked extra point. However, Pioneer quickly responded with a methodical drive, featuring strong performances from their running backs. The Titans’ persistence paid off when Anderson scored a short touchdown, giving Pioneer a 7-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.
As the game continued, Trinity’s offense faced setbacks due to penalties that derailed promising drives. A holding call negated a potential first down and led to a punt, while other infractions further stalled their momentum. With the rain continuing to pour, both teams focused on ground attacks, and Trinity’s defense, led by Christopher Brown and Cherry, managed to halt several Pioneer plays.
Midway through the third quarter, Pioneer converted a critical fourth-down attempt, showcasing their determination. Trinity began the second half strong but faltered on a fourth-and-2 situation, unable to advance past the Pioneer 48-yard line. The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Pioneer intercepted a pass from Carlson, returning it to Trinity’s 8-yard line. Damian Salguero then scored, extending the Titans’ lead to 14-6 with 9:03 on the clock.
Trinity fought back, aiming to tie the game, but their final offensive drive succumbed to penalties and a broken play, leading to a challenging second-and-22 situation. A deep pass attempt to Cherry was unsuccessful, handing the ball back to Pioneer with 3:35 remaining. The Titans effectively ran down the clock, sealing the victory.
In reflecting on the season, Coach Eastham expressed pride in his team’s journey. “They were physical up front and they were the better team tonight, hats off to them,” he noted. “I will take my boys over anybody, anytime. It just wasn’t our night tonight.” He also acknowledged the contributions of the senior players, emphasizing the team’s overall resilience despite the disappointing outcome.
As the Trinity Knights conclude their season, the experience gained and memories created will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for future success.
