What a way to clinch a playoff spot.
Dickinson Trinity senior running back Kyle Kudrna had three touchdowns on four touches to set the pace in the first quarter of Tuesday's 64-0 victory against Standing Rock.
Kudrna had a 47-yard touchdown on the Titans' third play of the game, added an 11-yard score up the middle on Trinity's third series and followed that up by going untouched down the left sideline for a 40-yard punt return midway through the quarter.
"It feels good to get our confidence back," said Kudrna, who had three carries for 65 yards rushing.
The Titans won their final two regular-season games and clinched the final West Region spot in the Class AA playoffs with the region win over Warriors.
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"We've come through healthy and the kids are starting to smile a bit," Trinity coach Randy Gordon said.
The Titans finish the regular season with a 5-4 overall record and a 4-3 West Region mark.
They will visit Fargo Oak Grove-Park Christian, the top seed from the East Region, in the Class AA quarterfinals on Oct. 27.
"We're in pretty good shape," Gordon said. "... We've had our tough moments."
Just six days ago, the Titans were 3-4 and a loss away from missing the playoffs.
However, Trinity lucked out by playing the bottom two teams in the West Region in its final two games.
Last Friday, the Titans beat New Town 59-0.
"It really boosts our confidence," Trinity senior lineman Schaan Barth said. "We hope we can take that momentum into the playoffs."
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Last season, the Titans entered the playoffs as the West's third seed and beat Oak Grove-PC 14-3 on its home field. They made it to the state championship game before losing to Watford City.
"It's nice to work out all the kinks before our playoff run here," Trinity sophomore quarterback Aaron Grinsteinner said.
Along with Kudrna, Grinsteinner helped the Titans move the ball effectively early, amassing a 40-0 first-quarter lead.
Grinsteinner completed both his pass attempts for 44 yards and had an 11-yard touchdown run.
Eight different players scored touchdowns for the Titans, who compiled 392 total yards - 335 of them on the ground.
Sophomore running back Kohl Koppinger had the bulk of the Titans' second-half touches, carrying the ball 10 times for 109 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
"We've got our running game that's going to help out our passing game," said Trinity senior receiver Marcus Sickler.
