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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamford Highs football team found out Saturday that Trinity Catholic's offense has more to it than Shaquan Howsie. A lot more.
Randy Polonia, a sophomore, scored five touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 129 yards as the undefeated Crusaders (5-0) crushed the Black Knights, 41-20, at Alumni Field. Howsie added 133 yards while Shawn Brown rushed for 128 yards. Stamford (2-3) suffered its third straight loss.
If teams keep trying to tackle Shaq, then well throw Shawn at them,'' Trinity coach Pete Stokes said. "Then well throw Randy at you. Its nice to have options. We pound, pound, pound the body with Shawn and Shaq, and then Randy will hit them in the head. Its good stuff. We haven't had options like that in a while.
Polonia, who had a total of 125 yards and just one touchdown entering the game, scored on runs of five, seven, 15, 20 and 28 yards. The Crusaders other touchdown came on a 37-yard interception return by Shawn Crowell on the second play from scrimmage.
These last three weeks, turnovers have just killed us, said Stamford coach Bryan Hocter, whose team coughed up the ball three times on Saturday. We just cant get any momentum. Its kind of hard to put into words.
Trinity led 20-13 at halftime, but the Black Knights tied it on their first drive of the second half. Quarterback Tyler Kane connected with Jake Bivona for a 31-yard scoring play with 4:11 left in the third quarter.
Trinity went back to work and marched 72 yards in nine plays, capped by Polonias 28-yard run. Trinity got some breathing room early in the fourth quarter after two carries by Brown for 70 yards, including a 54-yard burst, set the ball up at the Stamford 7-yard line. Polonia scored on the next play to make it a two-score margin.
Polonia ran 28 yards to cap a 49-yard drive on Trinitys next possession.
Tom Costigan had an interception and Neno Merritt recovered a fumble for Trinity.
Cameron Webb had a nice game for Stamford, rushing for 106 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Stamfords other score came on a 6-yard pass from Kane to Jake Rakoczy.
Trinity recaptured the city championship, which it last won in 2010. Its a wonderful feeling, especially with these guys in the backfield, Howsie said. If theres a team where I dont have to touch it and we beat them like we beat Stamford, Im OK with that. Those guys can run it. I just want to keep winning.
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