Charleston junior running back Treylin Couch rushed for 264 yards and scored five touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Effingham Flaming Hearts, losing 51-35 at Trojan Hill on Friday night.
A 30-minute game delay caused by lightning pushed the kickoff back to 7:30 p.m., and the Flaming Hearts got moving quickly. With a touchdown scored within five minutes, the Trojans quickly responded. Couch rushed 80 yards to score Charleston’s first touchdown of the night on the Trojan’s first offensive play.
Couch ran 51 yards for the next Trojan touchdown with mere seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Charleston (0-4, 0-1) was able to total 424 yards, 299 on the ground and 125 in the air. The Trojans’ three turnovers of the night were all caused by fumbles, but this didn’t stop the overall positive play from the Trojans.
“I thought the offensive line finally stepped up and established a line of scrimmage. You know, Treylin [Couch} ran the ball well,” Charleston head coach Brain Halsey said.
Couch is a consistent producer for the Trojan’s offense and turned his one touchdown from last week into five this week. His 264 rushing yards was too short to break the school record, but Halsey feels he is capable of doing it again.
“He plays his tail off. He’s grown up so much, he’s a great leader,” Halsey said.
Junior quarterback Wyatt Gordon broke his interception streak and did not throw one this game. He once again completed six passes for 125 yards, three going to junior wide receiver Grant Taggart for 82 yards.
The Trojans consistency in play allowed for their first lead of the season, which happened halfway through the third quarter on a Couch rushing touchdown that made the score 35-28.
However, Effingham’s offense did not come to lose.
The Trojans forced the Flaming Hearts to rush 177 yards, the most they have rushed all season by over double.
“We knew going in we wanted to make them run the football to beat us,” Halsey said. “And that’s ultimately what they had to go to. It wasn’t one of their strengths.”
But Effingham senior quarterback Jaxson Bridges was still able to throw for over 200 yards for the third time this season.
“I think we put on a pretty good show for the home folk. Just stay patient, we’re gonna get it,” Halsey said.
Charleston faces Mattoon next week for the Coles County Clash at O’Brien Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Kaylee Unruh can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
