Lawson falls to Trinity Catholic in Missouri Class 2 football semifinals

Lawson tailback Andrew Stephens rolled into the end zone, a one-yard plunge to pull the Cardinals within two points of Trinity Catholic. In a game to determine a spot in the Missouri Class 2 state championship, the Cardinals seized fourth-quarter momentum..

It evaporated quickly.

Nine seconds later, Trinity answered with its own touchdown before pulling away for a 45-29 victory at Lawson on Saturday.

Lawson, 11-3, was fighting for its first title game appearance since 2013.

Trinity, 12-0, will make its first appearance in the state championship game in program history. The St. Louis school was established in 2003.

“We’ve said all year if we go out and play our best and someone is better, then more power to them,” Lawson coach Todd Dunn said in a phone interview. “We just ran into a ton of talent. And they got us.”

Lawson quarterback Cody Glenn connected on 18 of 29 passes, throwing for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Colton Williams caught seven passes for 120 yards and two scores.

All three of the Cardinals’ losses this season came against teams that will be playing for state championships next weekend in Springfield.

“I’m super proud of the effort not just today but all season. I don’t know how we could’ve played any harder,” Dunn said. “Obviously we’d love to play one more, but I can’t say anything negative about the effort today.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Lawson falls to Trinity Catholic in Missouri Class 2 football semifinals."