The Troy Trojans home opener against Valley Christian Saturday afternoon was a rough one, but the hosts never stopped battling in a 49-0 defeat.

The Eagles entered the game 2-0 with wins over Superior (35-20) and Arlee (28-8) while the Trojans were on the wrong side of the scoreboard in losses to Darby (44-16) and Superior (65-14).

Valley Christian was 7-2 a year ago, its second in 8-man football. The Eagles made the playoffs, losing 58-31 to Wibaux in the first round.

Valley Christian scored 41 seconds into the game and was poised to score again when the Trojans defense stopped them on three straight plays from the Troy 1 with 7:11 left in the first quarter.

But the Eagles took advantage of the field position, tackling a Troy ball carrier for a safety in the end zone to make it 8-0.

After the free kick, the Eagles scored again when quarterback Daniel Stoltzfus hit Brayden McCoy for a TD pass.

Troy picked up a first down on a pass interference play before being stopped on fourth down.

After getting the ball back, the Eagles nearly scored on the first play when McCoy broke off a long run, but Trojan senior Trapper Savage dragged him down on a touchdown-saving tackle.

But Valley ended up scoring on a 4-yard TD pass from Stoltzfus hit Nicholas Karvandi to make it 20-0.

The teams traded turnovers on the next three possessions. 

Valley’s Harrison Spethman intercepted a Troy pass, but Trojans sophomore defensive tackle Kelton Cook recovered an Eagles fumble on the next play.

Karvandi then intercepted a Troy pass, but the Trojans stopped Valley on downs in the next possession.

The Trojans were also stopped on downs and Valley got back into the end zone on the next possession to make it 28-0 when Stoltzfus scored on a 2-yard TD run and added the conversion.

Troy’s next possession resulted in a fumble being returned for a touchdown by Fletcher Degroot to make it 34-0 at halftime.

The Trojans return to action Sept. 27, hosting Arlee. It will be homecoming and a tailgate party will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Troy Activity Center.

    Troy junior Carson Orr looks for room to run Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, against Valley Christian. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Troy sophomore Mason Crowe runs away from a defender after catching a pass Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, against Valley Christian. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Troy's JJ Hall and Carson Orr bring down ball carrier Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, against Valley Christian. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)