Leyden defeats Addison Trail

For the second consecutive week Addison Trail seemingly lost a game in the first quarter.

Leyden led 14-0 before many fans could find their seats, well on its way to a 41-20 victory and spoiling Addison Trail’s homecoming.

The Eagles scored on the first two possessions of the game. After a touchdown on the opening drive, Leyden recovered a squib kick on the Blazers’ 32 yard-line, then drove for another TD. Leyden led 14-0 before the Addison Trail offense came on to the field.

Eagles running back Aaron Whigham had enough stats in the first quarter to fill a box score. In the opening period alone the senior had 95 yards and 4 touchdowns. By the end of the game, Whigham had 256 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.

Despite the highlights from both teams, the game was marred by injury. Addison Trail junior wide receiver Tyler LaVoie was taken off the field on a stretcher and rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital. LaVoie was injured while on the back side of a Mike Rybarczyk touchdown pass to Jaavion Bradley when he was hit from behind and slammed his head to the turf, coach Paul Parpet said.

The first quarter aside, Parpet said he was happy with the way his team played. Unfortunately a slow start has become all too common. The offense seemed to find rhythm when the ball. Rybarczyk threw for two of the team’s three touchdowns, both to Bradley.

“We were trying to create some momentum offensively,” Parpet said. “That’s where our weapons are and that’s what we were trying to do.”

Even with Rybarczyk throwing for nearly 200 yards, the Leyden running game was too much to overcome and ran out most of the fourth quarter. Whigham displayed a mix of power and speed, breaking tackles on two of his touchdowns. The running back said much of his power came from off-season training and conditioning.

The mix of emotions for Parpet and his team left them wanting, but with hope. The Blazers outscored the Eagles in the final three quarters. While disappointed, Parpet is proud of the way his team continued to fight.

“We didn’t quite, we definitely didn’t quit,” Parpet said. “But you can’t put yourself down 27-0 and expect to climb out of that hole. I don’t think even Alabama could do that at times. We just have to come back to work tomorrow and get better.”