Meridian made Coupeville’s trip into the playoffs a short one by defeating the Wolves 47-0 at Wildcat Memorial Stadium Friday, Oct. 28.
The 7-2 Trojans move on in the playoffs while 1-8 Coupeville stays home for a game this Friday, Nov.4, at 7 p.m. against another non-playoff team.
However, Coupeville coach Jay Silver said after the Meridian game that he wasn’t sure if the Wolves would play Friday because of mounting injuries. Four more Coupeville players were hurt and the roster has been sliced to 18 by injuries after starting with 35.
In the win over Coupeville, Meridian scored over 40 points for the fourth straight time, but it was the Trojan defense that burned the brightest light.
In the game’s first series, Meridian stopped the Wolves for loses on the first two carries and then forced an incomplete pass. On the ensuing punt, a bad exchange allowed the Trojans to pounce on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
Coupeville didn’t earn a first down in the first period and finished with a minus 16 yards rushing and four yards passing.
The Coupeville defense held its own the first quarter and blanked the Trojans, but Meridian pushed across its second score two plays into the second frame.
A series of three-and-outs by Coupeville were followed by Trojan scoring drives and Meridian led 27-0 at the half.
The Wolves didn’t record a first-half first down until just before the break. A pass interference call resulted in one and then Jake Tumblin’s pass to Brett Arnold grabbed another. Kole Kellison missed a 37-yard field goal on last play of the half.
The Meridian defense capped its day by returning an interception 50 yards for the night’s last score.
Coupeville finished with 50 yards rushing, 38 of those coming on one carry by Mitch Pelroy. The total doesn’t include a minus 21 yards from mishandled shot-gun snaps.
Tumblin completed five of 15 passes for 22 yards.
Meridian compiled 341 yards of offense and had four plays over 25 yards wiped out by penalties. In all, the Trojans were flagged 13 times for 105 yards.
Silver said, “Our defense did some good things against a team with a lot of fire power.”
