A week after getting blanked by Berkshire, 38-0, Wickliffe played quite a bit better defensively on Sept. 28 in a CVC Metro clash against host Trinity at Cuyahoga Heights. But penalties that erased big gains offensively, including a touchdown run in the second quarter, combined with three turnovers, spelled doom for the Blue Devils in a 16-0 loss. Wickliffe outgained Trinity, 266-249, and effectively contained dangerous dual-threat Trojans senior QB Aidan Duncan. But an inability to convert on a couple fourth downs and short plays, along with the costly penalties and turnovers, led to a frustrating afternoon for the visitors. “I’m really proud of our defense,” Wickliffe coach Marce Porcello said. “They’re a really good football team and they’ve put up a lot of points, and have some really good athletes. “Offensively, we moved the ball, but we did have a couple turnovers and penalties really killed us.” @WHS_Blue_Devils Coach Marce Porcello goes over Wickliffe’s 16-0 @CVC_Athletics Metro loss to Trinity pic.twitter.com/wS8NEFmWh8 — Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) September 28, 2024 Duncan picked off a pass in the first quarter at the Wickliffe 30, and four plays later connected with senior Xavier Pearson for a 17-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, leaving the Trojans ahead, 6-0. Wickliffe had a scoring opportunity late in the second quarter. A 34-yard run by Logan Ruscin gave the Blue Devils a first down at the Trinity 20, but a 16-yard scoring run two plays later by Ruscin was erased by a holding penalty. Two more penalties pushed Wickliffe back to the Trinity 41, and the drive ended at the Trojans’ 30. Junior Jonathan Rosa added to the Trinity lead with a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter, making it 9-0. Wickliffe drove to a fourth-and-2 at the Trinity 22, but a run was stuffed for a 3-yard loss. Trinity (3-3, 1-0 CVC Metro) extended its lead to 16-0 in the fourth on a 21-yard run by senior Kaden Robinson. Wickliffe again came up short on a fourth-and-inches play at the Trinity 30 that was curiously not called a first down after an encroachment penalty on the Trojans on fourth-and-5. Wickliffe (3-3, 0-1 CVC Metro) lost the ball on a fumble on its next possession, and then a lengthy final march from its 8 to the Trinity 16 ended in an incomplete pass. Robinson rushed for 76 yards, Duncan passed for 106, and Pearson caught three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown for Trinity. “I’m proud of our defense,” Trinity coach Jeff McSweeney said. “We’re sort of bend-but-don’t break, and Wickliffe causes a lot of problems with misdirection, so I was proud of them getting the shutout.” @ttrojanfootball Coach Jeff McSweeney reviews Trinity’s 16-0 @CVC_Athletics Metro and Homecoming victory over Wickliffe pic.twitter.com/uM6DxEcGAS — Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) September 28, 2024 Ruscin rushed for 85 yards for Wickliffe, senior QB Frank Bucar passed for 87 yards, and senior Jake Beal caught seven passes for 53 yards. Wickliffe has been shut out in consecutive weeks after a promising 3-1 start, and will host Cuyahoga Heights on Oct. 4. “These last two weeks we’ve played two pretty tough opponents,” Porcello said. “Today we were right in the game, but we couldn’t punch it in. Last week against Berkshire was a bad game for us, but moving forward we just have to clean some things up and we’ll be fine.” The score Trinity 16, Wickliffe 0