The Jr. Trojans football team kicked off their season in impressive fashion, securing an 18-7 victory against the Gridiron Bulldogs from Las Vegas on September 14 at Basic Academy in Henderson, NV. Despite being a new team with only seven returning players out of 21, the Trojans displayed remarkable teamwork, especially on defense, shutting down the Bulldogs’ offense and preventing them from scoring further points after the first quarter.
The offensive play was led by several standout performances, starting with Champ Coloñ’s explosive 56-yard touchdown during the third play of the game, setting the tone for the team. Fullback Jakhai Smith took center stage in the second quarter, scoring a 28-yard touchdown and amassing over 100 rushing yards for the game. Smith’s consistent gains on the field provided much-needed momentum for the Trojans, and his contributions were vital to securing the victory. “The blocking by our linemen allowed us to make two long run plays for touchdowns,” Coach Lloyd Peugh said, praising the offense’s collective effort.
Quarterback Levi Calleros also played a key role, making smart decisions throughout the game and keeping the offense moving steadily down the field. Running back Kash Peugh contributed with nine carries, helping the Trojans get into scoring positions.
On the defensive side, Kash Peugh continued to excel, doubling as a middle linebacker and catching an interception in the third quarter. This crucial turnover set the stage for Jakhai Smith’s second touchdown, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Bulldogs. Calleros, who also plays outside linebacker, led the team in tackles, while a critical tackle for loss by cornerback Karsyn Boucher helped seal the victory. “Trojans Defense did not allow the Bulldogs’ offense to score any further points!” Coach Peugh noted, highlighting the unit’s strength.
Reflecting on the game, Coach Peugh couldn’t hide his pride: “Very proud of these young men for coming out and working hard for their first game of the season, the first game ever for some of these kids. They come out every day and work harder than the last. Win or lose, I will stay proud for how these young men carry themselves on and off the field. We hope to keep this momentum and bring home a championship by the end of the season.”
Assistant Coach Nick echoed Peugh’s sentiments: “It was an exhilarating experience to witness these young players make a statement to themselves, to their teammates, and to the Jr. Trojan family as a whole. Starting our new chapter with a W—I couldn’t ask for more!”
The Jr. Trojans Cheer team also had an unforgettable debut, with 22 cheerleaders supporting the football squad, 16 of whom were performing at their very first game. Despite their inexperience, the cheerleaders brought energy, enthusiasm, and spirit to the sidelines, encouraging both the team and the crowd to stay engaged throughout the game.
Cheer Coach Kyrstyn was thrilled with the performance: “Proud is an understatement to how I feel seeing these girls perform yesterday. They did such an amazing job! I can’t wait to see them all become more confident in themselves and their capabilities!” Assistant Coach Maribel added, “As a first-time coach for the Jr. Trojans cheerleaders, I’m very proud of all the hard work they put in. They did amazing at their first game and I can’t be more proud of them.”
Head Cheer Coach Sarah emphasized the team’s collective spirit: “Our cheerleaders did awesome at the game! We have a great group of talented girls! A good cheerleader is not measured by the height of her jumps but the span of her spirit! Spirit is what they had! This is just the beginning—can’t wait to see how far they’ll take it!”
The Jr. Trojans Football and Cheer teams are already showing great promise in their early season and are looking forward to their next matchup against the Jr. Miners on September 21 at Basic Academy. With strong performances on both sides of the ball and enthusiastic support from the cheerleaders, the Jr. Trojans are gearing up for what could be a memorable season.
