Gone are the years where playing Clark is an easy game like Western. That ended last year when the Trojans barely beat the Chargers at home. Pahrump barely escaped from Clark last year when they won 25-22.
The Trojans are at the Clark Chargers for a pivotal matchup on Saturday at 7 p.m. This game could determine if the Trojans make it to the playoffs this year. The game is being played on Saturday due to the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
The Trojans are now in a four-way tie with Clark, Spring Valley and Sierra Vista. Cheyenne and Mojave both stand at 2-0.
The Trojans defense must stop the big back for the Chargers, TyRek Wells, who is 6-foot 4-inches tall at 205 pounds. Wells ran most of the balls for his team against a good defensive team, Spring Valley. Against Spring Valley Wells had 13 carries for 45 yards. He was the go-to back for the offense. He likes to run off guard and off tackle and hopes to make defenders miss and then break the run outside. If the Trojans can keep Wells contained inside they will stop him.
The Chargers against the Grizzlies were pretty predictable. They ran on first, second downs and then tried to pass on third, especially when they needed to catch up. In the first half, Wells was given the ball six times on first down and two times on second down. Also in the first half, the team passed three times on second down and four times on third down. Against Spring Valley’s defense they had little success with both.
The Trojans kept the Chargers to 131-yards rushing last year and would be happy to do the same this year. Spring Valley kept the Chargers under 100 yards. The Chargers had 31 carries for 49 yards against the Grizzlies.
The Trojans to be successful must be able to sell the run. Once they can do that they can make some big plays off the play action pass. Milk has improved in his passing game this year and if unleashed against the Chargers he will do well. Both of his top receivers, Deon Estes and Jeremiah England, are big and fast. Estes has 179-yards receiving to date and England has 175 yards.
Trojans Coach Joe Clayton has confidence in his game plan. “Our biggest concern is our health on defense and not allowing the speed to get to the open field.
“Wells is big and strong, but that does not worry me. We are big and strong. speed always concerns me. We have a plan if we can stay healthy,” the coach said.