Final Score: Maryville 16, Trinity 12
Location: Trinity Stadium, San Antonio, TX
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Attendance: 1,869
Conferences: Trinity and Maryville both compete in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), D-III
Game Recap: Alfredo Vazquez
Version en Espanol, Aqui
Maryville Stuns Trinity 16-12 With a Field Goal One Minute From the End
Maryville 16, Trinity 12 — Week 7, 2026 Season
A brutal game from start to finish. That’s how the matchup between the Tigers and the Maryville Scots played out at Trinity Stadium, decided in the final minute by a 32-yard field goal from Sayler. Maryville walked away with the 16-12 win and handed Trinity its first loss of the season.
The setup
Trinity came in ranked No. 6 in Division III (per Maryville’s schedule), at 5-1 on the season after winning 35-7 at Southwestern. Maryville came in perfect in the SAA, at 4-0 in conference, although 3-3 overall after a rough start to the season. The most recent meeting favored Trinity: a 31-14 win in Tennessee on November 15, 2025.
What decided the game
Maryville opened the scoring on a 9-yard run by Zulu, but Trinity answered with a 26-yard field goal by Runyan and a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hondo Franklin to Alejandro Tavarez with just 22 seconds left before halftime, taking a 9-6 lead into the break.
The key moment came in the third quarter: Abner picked off a pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown, and Maryville took a 13-9 lead. It was one of three interceptions on Franklin that afternoon. Trinity also lost two fumbles and had a field goal attempt blocked. The final blow came with 1:00 to play, when Sayler hit the winning field goal.
Trinity outgained Maryville in total yards (336 to 231), but the mistakes cost it the game.
The numbers behind the story
Trinity: Hondo Franklin — 22-of-42, 278 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT. Alejandro Tavarez — 10 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD. TJ Scannell — 10 tackles. Runyan — 2 field goals (26 and 31 yards).
Maryville: Dabrowski — 13-of-25, 130 yards. Zulu — 21 carries, 71 yards and 1 TD. Abner — 2 interceptions, one returned 55 yards for a touchdown. Richardson — 5 receptions, 62 yards. Sayler — 32-yard field goal with 1:00 to play.
Looking ahead
Trinity (5-1, 2-1 in the SAA) travels to Millsaps on October 24. Maryville (4-3, 4-0 in the SAA) hosts Berry that same day.
The loss complicates Trinity’s road in the Division III playoffs, but we believe the Tigers will bounce back.
FAQs
What was the final score of Trinity vs. Maryville on October 17, 2026? Maryville beat Trinity 16-12 at Trinity Stadium in San Antonio, Texas, in front of 1,869 fans.
What was the deciding play? Abner’s 55-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Sayler’s game-winning field goal with a minute left.
What is Trinity’s record now? 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the SAA.
