T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING - West Marshall senior quarterback Peyton Hart (10) unloads a long pass over the outstretched defense of Albia lineman Paul Ballard during the first half of Friday’s Class 2A District 7 football game in State Center. The third-ranked Trojans won 47-0.

STATE CENTER — Senior night wins are hardly more straightforward than the one West Marshall football recorded over Albia Friday night. Leading 41-0 at the halftime whistle, the third-ranked Trojans coasted to a 47-0 win and ended the regular season with an 8-0 record, clinching Class 2A District 7 in the process with a 5-0 mark.

The scores came early and often, and it began with a Ben Gonzalez touchdown run within the first two minutes of the game to put the Trojans on top. After an Albia three-and-out, the Trojans marched down the field, and Peyton Hart ran in from 35 yards to make the score 14-0.

West Marshall’s next drive would end with another touchdown, as Gonzalez ran in from 32 yards out on a triple option pitch from Hart to push the lead to 20-0.

Head coach Cody Hackett said the Trojans came out with the right mindset and didn’t take their foot off the gas in the first half.

“We had a really fast start a week ago, but the prior few weeks we did not,” Hackett said. “We know what we have to do.

“They took this game as an opportunity to be our best, to be at our sharpest at the end of the year, and that’s what you gotta do.”

Multiple attempts to give senior Sam Schaper a touchdown at the goal line failed but Hart ran in on third down and goal to make the score 27-0. Two touchdown passes from Hart to Anthony Schuler — one from four yards out and one from 32 — would push the score to 41-0 before the halftime break. Jace Eich also intercepted an Albia pass for the first (and only) turnover of the game.

The large halftime lead meant the running clock was in effect for the second half, leaving the Trojans in no rush to push the pace or move quickly with the game effectively in hand. The teams traded three-and-outs in the third quarter.

West Marshall’s senior class has known nothing but winning games, with most of the seniors having been a part of three straight trips to the round of 16 in the playoffs. This is the Trojans’ fifth-straight district title in class 2A, but there’s still work to be done as they look to reach the UNI Dome.

It’s a special group of seniors for Hackett, who said this group has set the tone for years and has stepped up into leadership roles seamlessly.

“They’re all hard workers,” Hackett said. “They came in as freshmen already knowing the winning tradition we have here and they were led by great leaders before them. They’ve kind of taken on that role now, not just this year but a year ago too. It’s just crazy, we can have fun but they know when it’s time to kick it into gear and get going.

“I’m proud of them all, I wouldn’t trade them for anybody.”

Hart has spent the last four years as West Marshall’s starting quarterback, and in that time he’s learned to shoulder a heavy load both on the ground and through the air. This season, Gonzalez and the improving offensive line have meant that some of the offensive burden has been shared among the Trojans’ attack. Gonzalez in particular has impressed Hackett following the team’s loss of Preston Pope to graduation last year.

“I knew he was gonna be special even a year ago,” Hackett said. “He has a passion and a love for the game of football, he’s a hard worker and a hard-nosed kid. He’s tough. He can run the ball really well, he’s not just a guy that can run over you but he’s got some moves in the open field and moving forward he’s going to get better and better every game.”

Gonzalez scored three TDs, including the final score of the game with less than nine minutes left.

Looking towards the postseason, the Trojans begin their run with a first-round home game Friday at 7 p.m. The opponent is yet to be announced.