BY JAMES COOK
TRAVERSE CITY -- First soccer, now football.
Just two days after Traverse City Central made some history on the soccer field, this time the Trojans did something they've never done on the gridiron.
Central topped West 2-1 in a district semifinal, the first time the Trojans have beaten the Titans in the playoffs and the first season in which they've won twice against their rivals.
Now the Trojans add Friday's 25-6 football victory to the history-making week, the first time Central has won back-to-back decisions against West on the gridiron and holding the Titans to their lowest offensive output in the rivalry game.
Kickers Keenan Sanford and Kevin Cronin played on both Central teams this week.
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR WEST: Despite the loss, the Titans look like a team that will be one to contend with next season.
The fairly young West squad featured 36 juniors on a team of 61 players. The departing 23 seniors will leave a void, but seven of the starters on offense were juniors.
"Hopefully the juniors can learn from this and work hard in the off-season and do better next year," senior defensive end Craig Wilson said.
JUST FOR KICKS: The Trojans had some bounces go their way. For once, coach Tom Passinault thought.
Central kicker Max Bollinger hit line-drive kickoffs all night in the soggy conditions.
His first one turned into a sort of on-side kick, as it hit one of West's blockers up front and was recovered by Phothivath Phengkhampkip.
"One thing I said to our coaches this week is, 'How about us getting some breaks this week?'" Passinault said. "All year it seemed like the breaks went against us. That was a perfect example of something that went right for us."
LOSS HELPS WIN? In an odd way, the Trojans 40-7 loss to Cheboygan last week ended up helping.
The Chiefs also run a version of the wing offense that West uses.
"We kind of saw the same looks last week from Cheboygan," quarterback Mack Sovereign said. "That got us really prepared for it, and our defense really stepped up tonight."
WILSON DOMINANT: TC West's Craig Wilson showed why he's being recruited by numerous Division 1 schools. The senior defensive end had a game-high 13 tackles and blocked the extra point attempt after Central's first touchdown.
MAKING IT STICK: TC Central defender Phothivath Phengkhampkip also had a breakout game, making five tackles in the first half alone and recovered the live kickoff ball.
Phengkhampkip wore eye black stickers under both eyes that were inscribed with "Laos," reflecting his heritage.
GETTING THE BOOT: The Titans called up freshman Trent McDougal to handle the punting duties normally held by Wilson, who has battled injuries this season.
McDougal's five punts went for a net average of 31.2, impressive when considering that one was partially blocked. None of them were able to be returned by Central.
TACKLE LEADERS: TC Central -- Phengkhampkip 5, Sheldon Berry 4, Brandon Harrison 4, Max Bollinger 3, Scott Rademaker 3, Vaimagalo Taula 3, Tyler Fessler 2, Tyler Broad 2, Nick Bruning 2, Tyler Kelly 2, Kyle Coggins 1, Tim Martin 1, David Shepler 1, Gwinn Lord 1; TC West -- Craig Wilson 13, Zack Skeels 11, Cody Scheuerman 10, Dee Kirksey 8, Kyle Sullivan 7, Morgan Tolle 7, Logan Chamberlain 5, Cody Russell 4, Hunter Tucker 2, Jordan Michaels 2, Jesse Schwartz 2, Matt Beem 1, Anthony West 1, Colton Schumont 1.
EXTRA POINTS: TC West was whistled for nine penalties to Central's three. ... Central fumbled four times in its first three possessions (recovering all three) and mainly abandoned long pitches shortly thereafter. ... Quarterback Brett Kenny returned for TC West after missing the last two games with a neck injury. ... West tailback Jay Meyers left the game with an ankle injury. ... Central almost caused another turnover late in the game, as the Titans let a kickoff roll without picking it up and Derrick Rudolph jumped on the ball, but was ruled out of bounds at the West 6, allowing the Titans to retain possession.
