Luke Kerns rushed for a season-best 179 yards, and Trinity Catholic had its best offensive game of the season on Friday in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs in a 43-14 win at Republic County.
It’s the first regional championship for the Celtics since 2017.
The Celtics had their most punishing ground game of the season, with Kerns leading the way. The Celtics had 310 rushing yards, to go with 167 passing yards.
The Celtics started strong, scoring on their first possession when quarterback Drew Dechant connected with Roberto Guerrero for a 35-yard touchdown. The defense then forced a quick Republic County punt, and the Celtics scored again with 2 minutes, 21 seconds left in the first quarter on a Dechant 42-yard touchdown run.
The ensuing kickoff hit one of the Republic County up men, and the Celtics recovered. Two plays later and 16 seconds later, Kerns scored from 9 yards out.
The only touchdown in the second quarter was courtesy of Kaid McElgunn via some nifty footwork. He first intercepted a pass in the back of the Trinity end zone, just getting a toe in bounds. Then, at the other end, Dechant fired a 16-yard touchdown pass to McElgunn in the back of the end zone, where again McElgunn just got a foot in bounds.
Kerns added a 20-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and Dechant fired a picturesque 65-yard touchdown pass to McElgunn for the Celtics’ final score and a 43-0 lead.
Trinity will travel to top-seed Sterling in next week’s quarterfinal round.
