Trojans Beat Marauders Despite Injuries

The good news: the Trenton Trojans are 2-0 to start the season, something that hasn't been done in several years.

The bad news: The team suffered a slew of injuries. T.J. Stackpole suffered a minor concussion and had to go to the hospital and all-downriver star running back and senior team captain Mike Czarnecki may have a broken collarbone that could knock him out for the season.

"This will be a little more exciting once we find out what's going on with Michael," Trenton athletic director Bret Woodley said Thursday night after the game. "Obviously, he's the feature point scorer for the team. So that takes away from (the excitement) a little bit."

The unfortunate play happened with approximately six minutes left in the third quarter with the Trojans up 14-6 and threatening to score. Czarnecki took the hand-off from quarterback Chad Hamilton up the middle where he had a collision with Carlson's 6 foot 4, 315 pound lineman--a play that gave the big Marauder a minor concussion and hospital visit as well.

Three plays later, Czarnecki--with a potentially broken collarbone--scored the final points of the night to put Trenton up 20-6.

"We're hoping against all hope that it's not that bad, but all indications are that it's pretty bad," Trenton head coach and Czarnecki's father, Bob said over the phone from the hospital waiting room. "But it's part of the game...everything happens for a reason."

The injury leaves a bitter taste after a night that was otherwise a huge win for the program. Trenton hadn't beaten its rival Carlson on the gridiron in four years. Assistant coach Aaron Segedi was very proud of his team's effort in a dogfight that saw three players hospitalized, and at least two others awaiting MRIs on Monday.

"We played extremely hard," Segedi said. "It was a hard fought game on both sides. My hats off to them. They're always tough when we play them. It's always a tight game and it comes down to making plays and tonight we made them."

Trenton came out of the gate with guns blazing as Czarnecki put the packed crowd at the home opener into a frenzy by running the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Quarterback Chad Hamilton hit Jason Barbosa right before halftime to put the Trojans up 14-6 before Czrnecki finished the scoring in the third.

"It was a huge win, a great way to start the season and I'm sure the guys will battle hard through the season with or without Michael," Woodley said. "It's nice to have Trenton football back on the map."

Editor's note: Stackpole and said Carlson player suffered minor concussions and went to the hospital as a precaution. Both are expected to be fine. This story was written while the Czarneckis were waiting for Michael to be taken back for x-rays. The results would not have been known until early Friday morning, after this story was posted.

Trenton Patch will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.