KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER
JON BEERBOWER
STAFF WRITER
10/9/2023
The Alma College Football team celebrated this year’s Homecoming with a dominant win over Trine University. The Scots scored the most points they have ever scored since 1951 as they defeated the Trine Thunder 70-30.
The Scots’ points jumped ahead early thanks to a Carter St John (‘26) touchdown pass to fifth-year Devon Frenchko (‘24) in just over the first minute of the game. A quick screen opened up for Frenchko to go 44 yards and the subsequent 2-point attempt was good for the Scots, resulting in an 8-0 lead.
The Thunder answered with an 8-play 85-yard drive, making it an 8-7 lead for the Scots. The 1-point differential was the closest the Thunder would get in the remainder of the game.
At 8-7, the Thunder were moving back down the field once more, when fifth-year Jack Kretzschmar (‘24) jumped a route to intercept the ball and take it 74 yards to the house. Again, the 2-point attempt was good and the Scots jumped to a 9-point lead, making the score 16-7.
An exciting Trine field goal on the next drive changed the score to 16-10 game with one minute left in the opening quarter.
Following the Thunder field goal, wide receiver, Zach Poff (‘27), returned a kickoff 88 yards to make it 23-10 Alma with 57 seconds left in the first. After kicking it back, the Thunder lost possession of the ball thanks to a Scots interception.
One play later, Frenchko and St John took advantage of broken coverage for a 66-yard touchdown pass. Alma kicked off once again but it only took three plays for the second turnover in 45 seconds. The Scots would go 36 yards in four plays and make the score 35-10 with 12:35 left in the second quarter.
Both teams would trade a pair of touchdowns to make it 42-17, but two more unanswered scores from Trine sent the Scots into half locked up in a shootout 42-30.
The second half was unarguably controlled by Alma. The Scots forced four more turnovers starting on the opening drive where Alma picked the Thunder, followed by an Eddie WIlliams (‘26) touchdown reception.
The Scots would pile on the points scoring three more times including an impressive triple reverse flea flicker Alma scored for 56 yards. After three and a half hours of football, the Scots had 70, and they left the Thunder with an incomparable 30 points.
With a massive lead, fifth-year, Eli Jackon (‘24), was the leading tackler for the Scots with 12 tackles and Drew Humm (‘24) led the Scots with two interceptions.
The Scots are now 5-0 in the season and ranked 15th nationally. Week six is slated as a bye for the team, so Alma will turn their focus to Oct. 14th as they face MIAA opposition on the road in the shape of the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College.
For all of the latest updates and information on Alma College athletics, head to almascots.com.
