Written by Will Hoenike
Year one of the Bob Wilson regime would likely be classified as a rousing success.
Wilson took over a program that won one game in 2018, returned all of its players and upped the win total to five in 2019.
Now, can the Trojans continue to move forward this season?
If they do, two players who figure to be front-and-center are juniors Elijah Phills (RB/LB) and Brody Patrick (OL/LB).
Phillis ran for over 500 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore, including a 94-yard burst in the team’s opening-week victory over Wallace, which helped him secure honorable-mention All-White Pine honors. He could be a workhorse for the Trojans, especially early in the campaign as the coaching staff looks to replace veteran quarterback Rhett Sandquist, who graduated last spring. Sophomore Chandler Blazzard saw spot duty at the quarterback position last season and could be in line to replace Sandquist this season.
Patrick was a key member of Troy’s defense last season, accumulating 60 tackles and a pair of interceptions from his linebacker position as a sophomore. Phillis added another 42 tackles as well. As a group, the Trojan defense allowed about 31 points per game, which is respectable in the eight-man game. Troy allowed 78 points in its loss to state champion Prairie. If you eliminate that one game, the Trojans’ average dropped to 25 points per game.
In Wilson’s first season, the Trojans were very young, listing no seniors on the roster. Year two featured more seniors and, as a result, better experience and success. This season looks to be light on seniors once more but, with players like Phillis and Patrick, decent experience.
Troy will be in the mix for a possible 1A Division 1 playoff berth due to a change in playoff format. The White Pine League champion gets an automatic berth and a bye in the opening round of the playoffs. Five league champions get automatic bids and, after that, seven at-large teams will be selected, regardless of their league.
Check back with IdahoSports.com for updated Troy scores and schedules throughout the season.