BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER
SMITHS STATION –– The Glenwood Gators stayed hot on Friday night, defeating the Trinity Presbyterian Wildcats in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs by a score of 40-7. The Gators now own a 10-2 overall record and have outscored opponents 83-17 in two postseason games.
After getting upset in the first round of the playoffs last year, this year’s run is especially meaningful for a program still growing in its second season as a member of the AHSAA.
“Who would’ve thought two years ago, when we were in the AISA, that we could be where we’re at?” said head coach Ryan Nelson. “After what we went through last year in the playoffs, to get two (playoff wins) under our belt and to be in the third round, wow — it says a lot about our school right now.”
Glenwood controlled the game from the start, taking a 26-0 lead to halftime behind a dominant defensive performance that featured four first-half turnovers and several key stops.
Junior quarterback Trey Claridy set the tone early, capping Glenwood’s opening drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Trinity answered by driving to the Gator 1-yard line, but on fourth-and-goal freshman QB Land Sharpless was stopped at the goal line for a critical turnover on downs.
Capitalizing immediately, Glenwood marched 95 yards before Claridy punched in another 4-yard keeper for a TD — his second of three rushing scores on the night. That score made it 14-0, a 14-point swing from what could have been if the Wildcats punched it in on the goal line.
Stingy defense continued to fuel the Gators in the second quarter. Senior Cal Lawrence extinguished another threat from Trinity with an interception at the Glenwood 14 to begin the frame, and junior Gray Garner followed his act later in the quarter with a strip sack and fumble recovery.
“The big thing for us tonight is we got the turnovers and made them count,” Nelson said. “That was huge for us to be able to play keep away and build momentum.”
Special teams added to the separation. Along with hitting a pair of field goals, kicker Clay Sauerwine also helped his team retain possession on a squib kick that bounced off a Wildcat player and was recovered by Glenwood’s Jake Levy — the Gators’ third kickoff recovery in the past two games. Glenwood’s Colton Head also pounced on a muffed punt, setting up the final scoring drive of the first half.
After Sauerwine’s 26 and 35-yard field goals made it 20-0, the Gators took advantage of the muffed punt with a 3-play, 17-yard drive. On third-and-seven, running back Nate Malone powered in a 15-yard TD run to extend the lead to 26-0.
Trinity nearly scored on the final play before the break. Launching a prayer from 33 yards out, Sharpless connected with tight end Luke Hall, who leaped between two defenders to make an incredible grab, but the play was negated by a holding penalty with one second remaining in the half. Glenwood then knocked down the ensuing pass at the line of scrimmage to end the half.
Glenwood kept the pressure on after the break, outscoring Trinity 14-7 in the second half. Claridy added his third rushing TD, and senior Carter Judah also showed his physicality on a hard-nosed 9-yard TD run to the left pylon.
Trinity running back Tillman Clements broke the shutout with just over two minutes remaining in the game after Glenwood had substituted its defensive starters, but Nelson and the Gators left it all out on the field until the final tick of the clock.
“I remember what happened to us last year. I still have a bad taste in my mouth,” Nelson said. “So to me, no lead is safe and the challenge is playing for four quarters — all 48 minutes.”
Glenwood’s formula was clear: force turnovers and run the football. The Gators tallied six total turnovers along with 342 rushing yards on offense. Claridy led the way with 154 yards and three scores on the ground, while Malone totaled 166 rushing yards on 22 carries and a score.
While Glenwood has used two QBs the last two games, senior QB Jalen Stanley did not play Friday. Nelson said Claridy’s running ability was a better schematic fit against Trinity, and Claridy made good use of his legs with 21 carries as opposed to only 2-of-11 for 76 yards through the air.
Passing is Stanley’s strength, which is why he wasn’t called upon, but Stanley remains a key part of the offensive gameplan moving forward. The coach emphasized the notion that each game stands out from the others and things can change quickly in the playoffs.
“Just a great, all-around team win, and that’s what it takes this time of year,” Nelson said. “It’s got to be about the team right now; the individual stuff is out the gates. Every game is different and presents something new.”
Advancing to the Class 3A quarterfinals next Friday, Nov. 21, Glenwood will travel for the first time this postseason to take on Southside Selma, who remains undefeated after beating Cottage Hill Christian on Friday, 39-22. If the Gators advance, they will meet the winner of Bayside Academy and Montgomery Academy as they continue their push toward the school’s first AHSAA state championship.
