Following their victory in their homecoming game the Thursday before, the Eagle Grove Eagles saddled up and headed to Belmond on Friday evening, to take their best shot at taming the Broncos.
At first, it didn't look like a beat down. Both teams got on the scoreboard in the first quarter. For the Broncos, a 35 yard pass received by junior Robert Naranjo got the job done. And was followed by the 2 point conversion. But the Eagles got the job done twice, getting the extra points both times as well. Wrapping up the quarter with a two to one advantage, and a score sitting at 16 to 8.
Cayden Schultz keeps his balance as he reaches forward to cross the goal line for the TD. Photo by Mitch Jones.
From there on out it was a one sided walloping as the Eagles rode the Broncos hard. In the commanding second quarter of play the Eagles broke the Broncos' spirits with 3 touchdowns to none. Making the two point conversion each time.
After halftime, the Eagles were still on fire and the Broncos still couldn't drag them down. While still denying Belmond-Klemme the end zone, Eagle Grove drove ahead to score two more touchdowns. About the only consolation they left the Broncs was that they missed the extra points in this quarter.
Eagle Grove's Orlando-Hernandez-Melendrez takes down the Bronco ball carrier. Photo by Mitch Jones.
And then it was on to the decisive fourth quarter. Once more the Eagles walked all over the Broncos, blocking them from the end zone, and even from a shot at a field goal. And to add salt to the wound, Eagle Grove drove one last nail into Belmond-Klemme's coffin, with a final touchdown and the extra points to go with it. Final score, 60 to 8, for the Eagles.
Eagles wide receiver Drake Canavan takes off down the field for additional yardage against the Broncos. Photo by Mitch Jones.
Along the way the Eagles racked up a scorecard that tells a story of absolute domination. The Eagles ran a strong ground game, taking to the air only twice compared to 13 tosses for the Broncos. The Eagles almost doubled the Broncos in rushing attempts, with 47 to just 24 – rushing 502 yards compared to only 39.. And although Belmond-Klemme's defense was all over Eagle Grove's offense, with 48 tackles compared to 31, it was the Eagles offense which sacked the Bronco's quarterback – twice. And the Eagles made the most of many unforced errors by the Broncos as well. Recovering 2 fumbles and intercepting 4 passes – and returning one of those interceptions to the end zone for a TD.
Leading Eagles were MVP Cayden Schultz, a senior, who scored four touchdowns, one off a 38 yard reception from Quarterback, senior Tate Richardson, and three from rushing a total of 124 yards. But it was junior Drake Canavan who held the lead in rushing yards, scoring one touchdown off nine attacks, for 148 yards total. Senior Trent Sorensen led the team in tackles, with 7 total, including 3 TFLs, dragging the Broncos backwards. And QB Richardson completed one out of 2 passes for a touchdown, the other being intercepted, scoring a second touchdown on a 14 yard rush.
The Eagles will be back in action this Friday in a home game against South Hamilton, at 7:00 p.m.
