Ouch! That's the best word to sum up the beating the Eagles stoically took on their home turf in the second half of last Friday's matchup against the defending District Champions, South Central Calhoun Titans. Despite the walloping the Eagles took, head coach Logan Willard had a classic, 'if you wanna make an omelet, you gotta break a few eggs' type attitude about it. "Games like this are always good because you can measure yourself against the best," Willard said.
In the first half the game was competitive. Indeed, in the first quarter both teams held the other out of the end zone, and neither put anything through the goal posts either.
The second quarter went the Eagles way, as both teams scored a touchdown, but the Eagles made the 2 point conversion while the Titans did not. "Our guys accepted the challenge and really played their best football in the first half, giving us an 8-6 lead going into the break," Coach Willard noted.
Photo by Mitch Jones Photography.
Well, outsiders may never know what the Titans coach said to them during the halftime break, but whatever it was should go in coaching manuals under 'how to fire your team up at halftime' because the Titans came out of their locker room ready for war.
The Eagles barely knew what hit them, as the Titans hammered them with touchdown after touchdown, putting 30 points on the board before the quarter was over. While also keeping a reeling Eagles offense from scoring through the one sided quarter.
The fourth quarter was less one sided as the Eagles managed to shake off the thrashing they'd just taken and get back on the scoreboard with one last touchdown. But what a touchdown! Early in the quarter Orlando Hernandes broke away with the ball and raced down the field for a 67 yard touchdown! But the Titans were still in a scoring mood and they paid their respects to the end zone as well, and also added some extra points to the equation to score 13 more points in the final quarter.
Photo by Mitch Jones Photography.
With 15 attempts across 74 yards, Drake Canavan led the team in carries. And Trenton Sorenson made 5 attempts for 45 yards before getting the Eagles on the board with a 16 yd carry (5 attempts, for 45yds.) Orlando Hernadez had his amazing 67 yard touchdown. Willard also called out Hernandez' defensive performance. "Orlando also played very well for us defensively with 9 tackles, including one for a loss," Willard said. Korey Anderson turned in 7 tackles as well, with two for a loss. Zach Pamperin even managed a sack!
"We will get back to work, and continue to improve," Willard pledged. "We will have a quick turnaround as we play on Thursday next week for homecoming. "
