Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
NEW PARIS — For most of the game National Trail had kept Arcanum’s offense in check.
The Blazers defense had forced six punts, a turnover on downs, and intercepted a pass to limit the Trojans to just six points during the first three and a half quarters of Western Ohio Athletic Conference football game played in sloppy field conditions on Saturday (Sept. 28) afternoon.
But with one quick swing pass, everything changed.
Trail went from leading 13-6 and controlling the game to down 14-13 after a 57-yard touchdown pass with 7:38 left in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point try put Arcanum on top for the first time since it was 6-0 with 7:35 left in the second quarter.
Trail only got one possession after but was forced to punt.
Arcanum held on to the ball for the game’s final 6:02 to earn a hard-fought weather-delayed game.
The game was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed due to heavy rain and high winds, remnants of Hurricane Helene.
Trail had limited the Trojans to just 57 yards passing until the final touchdown. For the game, the Blazers limited Arcanum to just 114 yards passing and 130 yards rushing.
After falling behind 6-0 Trail responded quickly.
Quarterback Cooper Smith connected with Talon Bousman for a 55-yard touchdown with 6:04 left in the first half to take a 7-6.
On the ensuing kickoff, Bousman made his second straight big play by catching the kickoff and giving the ball back to the Blazers.
On the second play, Smith connected with Bousman again, this time for a 31-yard touchdown and put Trail up 13-6 with 5:17 left in the half.
On Arcanum’s next possession, Bousman intercepted a pass. But the Blazer offense stalled, and the teams went into the locker room at the half with Trail leading 13-6.
On the first seven possessions of the second half, there were six punts and a turnover on downs, before Arcanum delivered its biggest play of the game.
For Trail, Smith completed 5-of-10 passes for 110 yards. Bousman caught three passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Zack Creager rushed for 43 yards on 14 carries.
Trail, now 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the WOAC, was scheduled to host league co-leader Ansonia on Friday, Oct. 4.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
