LOUISVILLE — Ryle's football season ended at the same place it did last year, but Friday's loss to Louisville Trinity couldn't have been any more different from last season's eliminator.

        Trinity's Lenny Pitters returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play, and the Shamrocks thoroughly beat Ryle 35-3 in a Class AAAA second-round playoff game at Trinity Stadium.

        Trinity first-year coach Bob Beatty was cautious after the early dramatics.

        “I was worried our kids might relax a little bit,” he said. “But they didn't. They knew they had to play a good team for four quarters.”

        The only similarity Friday's game had to last year's playoff opener was that Trinity also scored on the game's first play in 1999. But that game required two overtimes before the Shamrocks' 32-26 victory.

        “We thought (Friday) was going to be like last year,” said Trinity's Vince Phillips, who scored four touchdowns. “We were hearing about how pumped up they were, how they felt ready to get it done this time. We didn't think it was going to be this easy.”

        The Raiders end their season with an 8-4 record, and fill-in featured back Travis Alig said it's difficult to end his football career with such a lopsided loss.

        “Trinity's a good team,” said Alig, who gained 100 yards on 23 carries in the absence of injured 1,400-yard rusher Travis Grant. “But it's kind of hard to go out like this.”

        Ryle coach Kyle Hockman tried to remain upbeat.

        “We have a solid group of juniors and a great sophomore class,” he said. “The week after Thanksgiving, we're going to start getting right back at it.”

        Though Ryle was able to gain a 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession in the first half, Trinity led 21-3 at halftime.

        And when Phillips was on the receiving end of a 55-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Geoff Riddle, Trinity's lead became 28-3 early in the third quarter.

        “When you start seven sophomores, and three of your top players aren't able to play, you have to play a perfect game,” Hockman said. “And we didn't do that.”

        Trinity (11-1) set the school's all-time record for points with 534. The Shamrocks will play Lexington Henry Clay, which beat Louisville Eastern 24-7 Friday night, in a state quarterfinal game next week.

        Ryle ....... 0 3 0 0— 3

        Trinity ....... 7 14 7 7—35

        T-Pitters 40 interception return (Heinz-William kick)

        R-Lagerman 43 FG

        T-Phillips 1 run (Heinz-William kick)

        T-Phillips 10 run (Heinz-William kick)

        T-Phillips 55 pass from Riddle (Heinz-William kick)

        T-Phillips 2 run (Heinz-William kick)

        Records: R 8-4; T 11-1.

Complete prep football coverage Enquirer.com/prepfootball

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