Usually, offensive performance in football grabs the headlines, but yesterday, in the Trojans' 34-13 win over Bolivar-Richburg to advance in the Section V Class D tournament, Alexander's Dustin Schmieder had 8.5 sacks.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Head Coach Tim Sawyer.
Schmieder also had five tackles and Erik Scharlau had 2.5 sacks and seven tackles.
And while we're talking about defense, Derrick Busch and Chris McClinic each had an interception.
The previous Section V playoff record for sacks in a game was five by Dan Liseno, for Clyde-Savannah in 2002.
On offense, Dane Heberlien scored two TDs and P.J. Brennan was 3-11 for 91 yards and TD, with one interception. Busch caught the 11-yard pass for the TD. Mitch Gordon scored on a one-yard run.
Schmieder also had a 68-yard reception on the first play of the game.
Hannah Paolucci kicked two extra points on the day.
The Trojans had 309 total yards on offense, but Sawyer still noted, "Penalties held us back today. We need to clean up the penalties and some missed tackles."
Next week, Alexander will face Clyde-Savannah, who beat the Red Jackets 40-14, for the Class D championship.
Photos by Rick Franclemont. For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.
