SQUASHED – Decatur running back Damien Loving gets hit on both sides as he tries to make his way toward the goal line. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

The blue moon high in the night sky Friday was not enough the help the Decatur Eagles find an answer to the Trinity Christian offense.

The Eagles fell behind early and never recovered, falling to the Trojans in the season opener, 55-24.

“They were very good executing and throwing the football, so you have to give Trinity Christian credit,” Decatur head coach Kyle Story said. “We looked like we were not in shape to go at that speed. We played about like the way we prepared during the week. If we don’t practice any better than that and if we as coaches don’t demand any more than that, then we are not going to play any better than that.”

The Eagles got off to a good start with a Cory Durdon interception on the second play of the game but the Eagle offense could not capitalize.

Decatur received another gift on the ensuing punt with a Trojan fumble but again the Eagles came up empty turning the ball over on downs.

After composing themselves, the Trojan offense took over. Trinity Christian quarterback Daniel Davidson, the state’s leading passer a year ago, began an eight play drive that ended with a 19 yard touchdown pass to Brock Thomas to put the Trojans up 6-0 after the missed PAT.

The Eagles responded on their next drive with a Clark Allen 29-yard field goal to make the score 6-3. That would be as close as the Eagles would get.

It only took six plays for the Trojans to strike again, as Thomas took it in from 17 yards out to make it 13-3.

After another stall from the Eagle offense, Durdon intercepted his second pass of the night deep in Decatur territory to end another Trojan threat.

Trinity’s defense held again and the offense struck again early in the second quarter as Tanner Snow scampered in from 17 yards out.

Later in the quarter Davidson would find Nick Plumlee for another score to take the count to 27-3.

Late in the second quarter Davidson would connect again. This time he found Brock Bacon, to give the Trojans a 34-3 lead.

Davidson would end the night with 305 yards through the air and four touchdown passes.

Decatur found the end zone right before halftime when quarterback Grayson Muehlstein connected with Cain Lowe for a 24 yard touchdown strike to cut the score to 34-10.

But the Trojans immediately responded. Trinity’s Nahshon Ellerbe returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to give the Trojans a 41-10 halftime lead.

Davidson would connect on two more touchdown passes in the third quarter.

Decatur’s Damien Loving found paydirt late in the third quarter on a six yard touchdown run.

The Eagles would add one more score with 12 seconds left as Muehlstein found Durdon for a nine yard touchdown catch.

TRUCKIN’ – Decatur receiver Mason Clinesmith returns a kick during the season opener Friday night. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

TRINITY CHRISTIAN 55, DECATUR 24

Trinity Christian … 13 … 28 … 14 … 0 – 55
Decatur … 3 … 7 … 7 … 7 – 24

FIRST QUARTER

Trinity – Daniel Davison 19 pass to Brock Thomas; kick failed
Decatur – Clark Allen 29 field goal
Trinity – Tanner Snow 19 run: Beiersdorf kick

SECOND QUARTER

Trinity – Snow 16 run; Beiersdorf kick
Trinity – Davidson 20 pass to Nick Plumlee; Beiersdorf kick
Trinity – Davidson 10 pass to Brock Bacon; Beiersdorf kick
Decatur – Grayson Muehlstein 24 pass to Cain Lowe; Clark Allen kick
Trinity – Nahshon Ellerbe 75 kickoff return; Beiersdorf kick

THIRD QUARTER

Trinity – Davidson 26 pass to Thomas; Beiersdorf kick
Decatur – Damien Loving 6 run; Allen kick
Trinity – Davidson 33 pass to Thomas; Beiersdorf kick

FOURTH QUARTER

Decatur – Muehlstein 9 pass to Cory Durdon; Allen kick

TRINITY … DECATUR

First Downs … 22 … 21
Rushes Yards … 98 … 201
Passing Yards … 305 … 130
Total Yards … 403 … 351
Comp-Att-Int … 21-32-2 … 10-24-2
Punts … 2-32 … 6-23
Fumbles lost … 1-1 … 0-0
Penalties … 4-50 … 10-106

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – Trinity, Tanner Snow 9-76. Decatur, Max Junkert 11-67
Receiving – Trinity, Brock Thomas 7-126. Decatur, Cain Lowe, 4-62
Passing – Trinity, Davidson, 21-32-305-4. Decatur, Muehlstein, 10-24-130-2