(Atlantic) Atlantic celebrated homecoming with a 28-0 win over Creston in the District opener Friday night.
The Trojans finished with 322 total yards of offense, including 205 rushing yards. Quarterback James Brauer completed 5-of-9 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Wailes led Atlantic on the ground with 14 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. Wailes also caught two passes for 89 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown. He led the Trojans with 10 tackles. Ashton Rutherford and Landon Hagen each had an interception for Atlantic. Zander Killion and Ethan McNeal each scored a touchdown. Killion caught a 13-yard touchdown, and McNeal punched in the other score on a one-yard touchdown.
The Trojans struck first on a long pass to fullback Jake Wailes with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter. Killion added the extra point to give Atlantic a 7-0 lead. Atlantic extended its advantage to 14-0 with 11:17 left in the second quarter when Brauer connected with Killion on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
The Trojans held Creston to just one possession in the second quarter, and following the Panthers punt, Atlantic started a 10:26 drive from their own 28-yard line. Ethan McNeal added a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining in the half, sending the Trojans into the locker room with a 21-0 lead.
Creston opened the second half with a hurry-up offense and moved the ball, but the Panthers could not punch it in. Atlantic closed out the scoring with 7:28 remaining in the fourth quarter when Wailes scored on a four-yard run, giving the Trojans a 28-0 victory.
Defensively, the Trojans recorded 47.5 tackles, 29 solos, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks. Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer complimented both teams’ defensive effort.
Landon Hagen picked off a Creston pass late in the game.
Atlantic goes to 3-2 on the season and 1-0 in District. The Trojans travel to Perry next Friday night.
