The West Central Trojans had a couple of early leads against the Tea Area Titans on Thursday, October 21st, but the Titans were able to pull away in the third quarter for a 27-13 victory in the final regular season game.
West Central scored first when Gavin Koch threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Owen Heath with 8:48 in the opening quarter. The extra point was no good, but the Trojans led 6-0. Tea took the lead about three minutes later after a three-yard touchdown pass and extra point. The Titans added to that lead as time expired in the first quarter on a 35-yards field goal, and Tea led 10-6 after the first quarter.
The Trojans regained the lead midway through the second quarter. Koch had a 44-yard touchdown pass to Gage Nelson. Tommy Berg made the extra point, and West Central led 13-10 with 6:12 to go in the half. The Titans scored almost three minutes later again on an 18-yard pass. Tea lead 17-13 at halftime.
Tea Area then pulled away with 10 points in the third quarter. Chase Van Tol had a 51-yard field goal with 6:31 to play in the third quarter. Cael Lundin added a 56-yard touchdown pass to Klayton Slatter with 4:13 to play in the quarter. The extra point made it 27-13, and that was the final score of the game.
The Trojans finished with 198 yards of offense, 215 passing yards but -17 rushing yards. Justin Zirpel had 14 carries for 17 yards. Koch was 14-23 passing for 215 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Braden Dierickx had eight catches for 124 yards. Jacob Krempges had three catches for 10 yards, Heath had two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown, and Nelson had a 44-yard touchdown catch. Chet Carda had 13 tackles and a sack in the game. Dalton Mulder and Logan Maras both had 10 tackles. Dierickx finished with six tackles.
West Central finishes the regular season with a 4-5 record and will be the #5 seed in the 11A playoffs. The Trojans will travel to Dell Rapids to take on the #4 seeded Quarriers on Thursday, October 28th.