If the opening two games don’t prepare Truman for the start of Suburban Big Six play then nothing will.
After opening with a 42-14 loss to Raymore-Peculiar, the Patriots ran into another buzzsaw in Lee’s Summit West at Independence All-School Stadium/Norm James Field Friday.
The passing of Bryant Jackson and the running and pass receiving of Aaron Vanderpool lifted the Titans to a 38-0 victory.
“We played well in the first half,” Truman’s Joe Scardino said. “We couldn’t get it together the second half. We have to get better.”
Jackson completed 9 of 12 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown and ran 14 yards for another. Vanderpool rushed 12 times for 62 yards and caught five passes for 58 yards and one score.
Meanwhile, the West defense held Truman to five first downs – with two coming on penalties – and 41 total yards. Because of two intercepted passes, two lost fumbles and a blocked punt, the Patriots never threatened to score.
Blake Lopez recovered a fumbled Truman punt at the West 35-yard line early in the first quarter. Three plays lost four yards and Truman was forced to punt. The Patriots never crossed midfield again.
“I like it all,” Vanderpool said of his running and pass receiving. “I would also like to play defense. It was good team effort. We put up the zero on the scoreboard.”
A 24-point second quarter clinched the West victory.
Vanderpool ran 9 yards for a touchdown, Zane Eulinger returned an intercepted pass 28 yards for a score, Andrew Holt kicked a 38-yard field goal and Vanderpool pulled in an 11-yard pass from Jackson for a TD. The last score was set up when Tony Etter blocked Ronnie Vargas’ punt.
The Titans took over at the 4. Jordan Wade gained 3, Jackson’s bad pitch lost 11 and then he hit Vanderpool for the score.
In the third quarter the running clock started when Jackson ran 14 yards and Jordan Wade went 13 yards for touchdowns. Holt also kicked four extra points.
“A running game would help our passing game,” Truman sophomore quarterback J.T. Skoch said.
The Patriots gained only 36 yards on 18 carries.
Twelve penalties for 81 yards and a lost fumble were all that marred the West victory.
“We are looking for consistency,” West coach Royce Boehm said. “We didn’t practice very well this week and it showed.”
Still, West easily bounced back from a tough 36-35 opening loss to Blue Springs.
Despite the loss, Truman coach Craig Lewis saw some positives.
“We played better at times,” he said. “We had better effort and enthusiasm. We played two of the better teams on our schedule. We have to keep going.”
Truman plays its conference opener next week against Oak Park.
