IRVING – Louisiana power John Curtis Christian was supposed to provide Euless Trinity a major test in its opener. Instead, John Curtis gave Trinity a history lesson in what high school offenses used to look like.

John Curtis never strayed from its retro-looking Veer offense. A more diverse Trinity attack prevailed, 28-12, in a Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series matchup at Texas Stadium.

Trinity, No. 1 in at least two national rankings, won't see another offense like John Curtis' again in a state where the passing-oriented spread dominates.

"There's nine spreads in a row," Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver said, referring to the rest of his schedule. "Even though Cedar Hill runs the snot out of it, they run it out of the spread. You have to get ready for something you just don't see anymore [against John Curtis]."

John Curtis threw just one pass in the first half and finished with 42 passing yards. Trinity, known for its power running attack, completed seven passes for 129 yards.

In a game where the teams were even physically – John Curtis rushed for 147 yards to Trinity's 145 – the difference was Trinity's ability to use the pass to set up its scores.

Trinity's first touchdown was preceded by Denarius McGhee's 35-yard completion to Stetson Smith. Completions of 36 and 26 yards kept alive another drive that led to Trinity taking a 21-6 lead at the end of the third quarter.

John Curtis played the game while Hurricane Gustav was making landfall back home in River Ridge, La., just west of New Orleans.

"I couldn't ask them to do much more," coach J.T. Curtis said of the players' distractions. "But I'm also not going to allow it to be an excuse. Trinity played very well."

The Veer was classic John Curtis, but mistakes in the kicking game were uncharacteristic for a team that has won 22 Louisiana state championships.

Trinity was stopped on its first drive of the second half, but the punt landed on a John Curtis blocker. Trinity recovered at John Curtis 27 and took a 14-6 lead five plays later. John Curtis also missed two extra point tries.