Garden City Bounces Calhoun Football From Playoffs

The Calhoun Colts opened their season with a loss to Garden City, and on Saturday, they fell out of the Conference II playoffs at the hands of the Trojans 29-7 at Garden City High School.

In the battle of the trenches, the Trojans were able to dominate the Colts, as senior quarterback Matt Brennan was sacked five times, and running backs Julian Lee and Corey Barchart were held to 36 and 25 yards respectively.

The Trojans struck first on the day, as Stephen Jahelka scored on an opening 11-play drive. With the score, Jahelka became Garden City's individual touchdown and points leader.

Down 7-0, the Colts offense came out and promptly returned to the sideline, as they registered two three-and-outs in the first quarter. The first sack of Brennan ended the first drive, and on the second possession the Trojan were able to deflect the punt.

Taking over on the Calhoun 39-yard line,  the Trojans netted a field goal to go up 10-0.

In the second quarter, the Colts produced two more three-and-outs, and also punted on their other possession.

After the game, coach Joseph Bianca said that "we lost to a quality team today."

"If you give them opportunities, it's tough to beat them," he said of the Trojans.

At the half, the Colts were down 19-0.

In the second half, the Colts seemed destined to repeat the first half, as a handoff was fumbled on their first play of the half, and after letting up a Trojan field goal,  Brennan fumbled on the Colts next possession.

The Colts, however, were determined not to give up.

On the next play, Jahelka took a handoff up the middle, but a Colt defender popped the ball out of Jahelkas hands, and Barchart hopped on the loose ball.

Getting the ball back, Brennan used his arm to finally get the Colts on the board. He connected with senior Joseph McGinley to bring the score to 22-7.

Bianca was proud of the teams effort, saying "my boys faught today."

"They gave it everything they had and left it all on the field," he said.

While the score gave the Colts hope, the Trojans quickly extinguished the flame.

The Colts went 3-and-out on their next possession, and Trojan quarterback Tom Gordon connected with Patric Berkery to bring the score to 29-7.

Brennan almost threw his way into a second touchdown, connecting on passes of 17, 14, and 15 yards, but a run by Barchart on fourth and two at the Trojan five-yard line was stuffed.

For the seniors, the game also marked the last time they would play in a Colts uniform.

Bianca said "they [seniors] didn't want to give up."

In the final huddle, Bianca said he "thanked them for what they gave us."