By SARAH COCHRAN, for The Democrat
The Eagles’ homecoming football game stopped short of the team’s goal in a loss to the Cloverdale Clovers, 53-18.
The stands were full of neon attire and spirit on Sept. 22 prior to the homecoming dance. Students, parents and alumni cheered and the pep band entertained the crowd.
Still, the Eagles got off to a slow start with multiple incomplete passes and a fumble in the first quarter. Senior linebacker Ezra Scully broke the trend with the recovery of a Cloverdale fumble on the Clovers’ 37-yard line. Even so, the first quarter ended in favor of Cloverdale, 6-0.
With 11:53 left on the clock in the second quarter, the game was delayed for more than 30 minutes due to lightning in the area.
Finally back on the field, Ben Rygiel kicked a 32-yard field goal, putting three points on the scoreboard. The Clovers responded with a touchdown and a two-point conversion.
The blue and gold recovered to take the ball down the field for a perfect pass by quarterback Noah Carter to wide receiver Tristan Richards in the pocket for a touchdown. Nevertheless, two more touchdowns by the Clovers ended the second quarter still in favor of Cloverdale, 26-10.
The third quarter saw much of the same play with an early touchdown and extra point from Cloverdale. The Eagles rallied with a touchdown pass by Carter to wide receiver Javan Oliphant, and then a two-point conversion pass from Carter to Richards in the end zone.
However, the Clovers marched the ball back into the Eagles’ end zone for a touchdown run and a successful extra point. They quickly scored again after an intercepted pass by their linebacker, Nick Winders, returned the ball to Cloverdale.
With 35 seconds left on the clock, the Eagles recovered a Clover fumble, and running back Justin Burns ran the ball at least 30 yards, but the quarter ended short of a touchdown, 46-18.
Penalties for the Clovers came in the fourth quarter, as did a turnover by the Eagles. Cloverdale was able to score one more touchdown to widen the spread while the Eagles struggled to add any points to the board.
The Eagles have two more games before they head into post-season play. The Western Indiana Conference finals are set to take place at the Eagles’ home field Friday, Oct. 13 and the sectional tournaments begin Oct. 20.
