Going into the 2017 football season no one in the Atlantic community knew how good their football team would be. Many people had a lot of doubts after the team last year finished with a 1-8 record. This year, the seniors were ready to prove every one wrong and start a new legacy for trojan football.

Atlantic started off the season fast and strong. They came out the gates swinging the first game taking down a Clarinda team that many said were not a very good team. The trojans took the win 40-0 and completed there first shut out since 2012. It was an unusual time for the varsity starters who were pulled after their first touchdown within three minutes of the third quarter. The team knew they couldn’t slow down now and had to keep playing hard. In the second week Atlantic hosted the Shenandoah mustangs. This game was the only game of the year the trojans were not considered underdogs. Shenandoah kept the game close in the first half and the game was up for grabs. The trojans only leading 14-7 after the first half were ready to end it. They came out firing on all cylinders winning the game 42-14.

Atlantic, starting the season 2-0 was shocking everyone in the district. In the third week the trojans were set to take on their first tough matchup. The game was back and forth throughout but the monarchs capitalized on the trojan mistakes and handed the trojans first loss of the season 31-28. Atlantic went on a 2 game skid after losing to the Winterset huskies at home 20-0. The following week was homecoming. Atlantic had not won a homecoming game for five years and were looking to change that this year. Atlantic was set to take on Creston, who they have not beaten since 2008. On homecoming night the trojans came away with a 19-13 win in overtime in dramatic fashion. Junior Connor Pellett jumped on the fumbled snap on the first play in overtime for the panthers and the crowd went nuts. The celebrations couldn’t last for long because the trojans had a tough matchup coming up against the Glenwood Rams. Atlantic was down 21-7 at half and it was not looking good. The trojans came out firing the second half and brought the score back to 28-20. However they were not able to finish it out and lost 42-20.

In week 7 the trojans took on the ADM Tigers in the mud bowl. Due to the harsh weather conditions the offenses on both sides had tough times getting something going. Though in the second half the trojans blew it away and took the win 26-0 claiming there second shut out of the season. Going into week 8 the trojans were trying to claim there first winning season since 2012. They were set to take on the hard running Carroll tigers who they had a tough time against last year. Atlantic shut them out through the first half but struggled to get the offense going in the second. The trojans stout defense battled and kept the tigers to 13 points and Atlantic was able to secure their winning season.

Senior night for the trojans came against the 7-1 Harlan Cyclones and Atlantic was hungry. The trojans had the fire and were ready to take down the cyclones for the first time since 2002. By halftime the score was tied 0-0 which no one saw coming. In the second half Harlan’s offense was too powerful and handed the trojans there fourth loss of the season. The 2017 Atlantic Trojans set a standard for the upcoming seasons. Congrats to the team on their winning season.