ARCANUM —Despite being held scoreless for more than three quarters, National Trail’s football team found a way to earn its first win of the season.

Trail tallied 15 points in the final quarter to rally for a 15-10 win over host Arcanum on Friday, Sept. 1, in a Cross County Conference game.

Quarterback Evynn Short capped off the rally with a 1-yard touchdown run with just under 40 seconds left in game. The score capped off an 80-yard drive moments after Arcanum had taken a 10-8 lead with a field goal.

Both teams contended with a constant drizzle throughout much of the game. In the first quarter, neither team was able to score, but a Trojan touchdown run by Dylan Burns negated by a holding call, and the offense further pushed back by a false start penalty. A field goal attempt by Evan Atchley failed due to a muffed snap and hold.

The Trojans, however, did get on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter on a punt return for a touchdown by Daniel Coats. The extra point attempt gave Arcanum a 7-0 lead going into the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, National Trail opened up its passing game with Short leading his team to the Arcanum 9-yard line where Peyton Lane ran for a touchdown. Short connected with Jacob Heck for a successful 2-point conversion to give National Trail an 8-7 lead with 9:41 left in the game.

Starting at its own 43-yard line after the kickoff, it was Arcanum’s turn to sustain a drive with Atchley leading the Trojans to the Blazer 2-yard line. On fourth and 2, the Trojans opted for a field goal, which put the Trojans ahead 10-8 with 5:18 remaining.

A personal foul penalty against National Trail during the field goal attempt allowed the Trojans to kickoff from near midfield and sent the kickoff into the endzone, which forced the Blazers into starting the final drive from their own 20.

During the 80-yard game-winning, National Trail converted a number of third downs, and a fourth down conversion, before Short snuck the ball into the endzone from the 1-yard line. The extra point made it 15-10 and left Arcanum with only 39 seconds left. An interception by the Blazers’ Zach Woodall at the 8-yard line ended the Trojans’ hopes for a last-second score.

Short finished the game completing 9-of-18 passes for 156 yards. Woodall had three catches for 68 yards, including a key 51-yard reception on the final game-winning drive. Woodall also lead the team with 12 tackles, while Mike Behringer added 11.

Trail (1-1, 1-0 CCC) will return to action on Friday, Sept. 9 at Miami East