Season comes to an end for Tigers, history-making senior class

They were plagued by a roster short on players and long on injuries.

And yet, the Holy Trinity Tigers still made it to the Class 3A regional

semifinals.

So, while Friday’s 48-13 loss to John Carroll Catholic may have ended

the Tigers’ season one round short of their season-long goal, coach Nate

Hooks Jr. was still proud of what his team accomplished this season.

James BlackStrain caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from Davin

Wydner, but it wasn’t enough against a John Carroll team that improved

to 9-1 on the season.

It was the final game in the Holy Trinity career for BlackStrain, a

Georgia Tech commit, along with Carlos Estronza; Ja’Lon Hudgins;

Jonathan Bowden; James Linnabary; Ronald Brown; Tayshawn Peppers;

Campbell McNabb; Cal Rethwisch; Gerard Thomas and Rico Frazier

(who has been playing varsity football since the eighth grade).

“I’m proud of the boys for never quitting,” Hooks wrote in a Twitter

message. “Because of injuries, we played this season with only 13-17

players, and were still competitive and impressive.

“In the regional semifinal game (against John Carroll), we had to start a

soccer player and lacrosse player at corner and safety. I’m very proud of

them for having the courage and attitude to try to help the team.

“We’ve now made the regional semifinals three years in a row, yet

before that, HT Football had never won a playoff game. I’m very proud

of them.”