Trinity football rebuilds after losing big senior class
The Trinity football team is preparing for the upcoming high school season with a mix of optimism and uncertainty after losing a significant senior class following last year’s second-round state playoff appearance.
The Wildcats will lean heavily on returning quarterback Patton Mitchell, who started as a freshman last season and has shown considerable growth entering his second year.
“Way more mature, able to command the team. He’s a leader,” said Ryan Basile, Trinity’s senior kicker and punter.
Trinity football head coach Brian Seymore expects Mitchell to shoulder greater responsibility in the offense this season.
“We’ll put a lot more on him to run the offense. He’s a dual threat guy. He can throw it, he can run it,” Seymore said. “I feel really good about the guys up front. Offensive line should be a strength on offense.”
The team faces the challenge of integrating new skill position players around Mitchell, though Seymore believes the unit will develop as the season progresses.
“Gotta break into new skill guys around him as the season goes along, people grow up a little bit, get a little bit older. I think we’ll be more explosive,” he said.
Senior linebacker and tight end Luke Hall dismissed concerns about the team’s lack of experience, pointing out that many of the “new” players are actually seniors who have been waiting their turn.
“People say they lack experience, but really, they’re seniors. They’re ready to play. They’ve been in the offense and defense for years, so they’re more eager than anybody else this year,” Hall said.
Senior offensive and defensive lineman Solomon Marlow expects the team’s physical development to translate into improved ground game production.
“I feel like we’re getting more tough and a little bit stronger. So I think we’ll be able to run the ball more effectively,” Marlow said.
The close-knit nature of Trinity provides additional motivation for the players, according to Hall.
“Having so many friends that you’ve grown up with, being a small private school, man, everybody’s cheering you on. We’ve got one of the best student sections you can ask for,” he said.
