A year ago to the day, the Troy Trojans experienced heartbreak losing to Olpe 36-28 in the Class 2-1A Sub-State Championship.

On Friday night, the Trojans got their revenge earning the program’s first ever trip to the Class 2-1A State Championship Game with a 30-21 win over the Eagles.

Things weren’t easy for the Trojans to open up the contest as they found themselves in a 7-0 hole after the first quarter. Andrew Burenheide gave the Eagles the first points of the night on a 15-yard run, while also tacking on the extra point try.

The Eagles scored again early in the second quarter on another run from Burenheide – this time from a yard out –, but a blocked extra point left the score 13-0 in favor of Olpe.

The blocked PAT seemed to be the spark the Trojans needed as it started a run of 30 unanswered points to close out the half.

Alex Martinez got things started for Troy capping off a five play, 60-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run with 7:24 left in the half. Junior quarterback Reid Greaser found senior receiver Chris Winkel on the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to five.

The Trojan defense stiffened on the ensuing Eagle drive forcing a three-and-out, and Cuttar Huss took advantage on a 16-yard sweep two plays later to give Troy the lead 14-13 after the conversion try failed.

Another three-and-out on the Eagles next possession gave Troy all the momentum. Greaser rode that momentum scoring on a quarterback sneak from a yard out to give the Trojans a 22-13 lead with 55 second left in the half after Huss tacked on the two-point conversion.

Olpe got the ball with 49 seconds left after the kickoff and a decision to make. Go into the locker room down nine, or try to put a drive together and get points.

The Eagles decided to go for it and it was a decision they would regret. On the final play of the half, Huss picked off Olpe’s Ryker Schmidt and took it back 62 yards as time expired. Kortin Blevins ran in the conversion and Troy led 30-13 at the half.

Neither team found the scoreboard in the third quarter as penalties wounded both sides.

It became apparent in the fourth that the Trojans were more than pleased to just run the football, and the clock.

The Eagles were able to pull within nine on a Schmidt 10-yard run and conversion, but the Trojans allowed nothing more to close out the ballgame.

The Troy offense didn’t have a big night stats wise, but that was due to the field position given by the defense.

Greaser finished the night with 131 yards on 14 carries and one score, while Martinez and Huss each had scores on the ground as well.

The Trojans (10-1) move on to face Philipsburg in the Class 2-1A State Championship next Saturday, Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. at Fort Hays State University in Hays.