San Tan Youth Football League Eagles

The Eagles (4-2) took the field on Saturday to face the Cardinals (0-6) in a rematch from their Week 2 overtime thriller.  The Cardinals have struggled this year and had yet to record a victory, but the Eagles were well aware that the Cardinals are a much better team than their record would indicate.  Coming off a tough win over the Rattlers with a bunch of players sidelined with the flu, the Eagles were back a full strength and looking to make a late season statement.

Once again, Josh Johnson set the tone early with a 50 yard TD scamper in the opening quarter.  The Eagles Silver offense and defense did an outstanding job getting the birds on the right track and  setting the tone for the rest of the game.

The Eagles picked up where the Silver units left off as they kicked off and began the first quarter on defense.  Javin Wright started things off with a brutal tackle for loss that forced the Cardinals into a 3rd and long situation.  Maison Ardans recovered a fumble on the next play to gain possession for the Eagles.  The Eagles wasted little time capitalizing on the turnover as Anthony Saba found the end zone on a 37 yard scamper to put the Eagles up 6-0.  The extra point attempt failed, but the Eagles had seized the lead and the early momentum.

The Eagles defense stymied the Cardinals on the next possession forcing a 3 and out.  Once again the Eagles capitalized on a short field as Parker “Turbo” Holland gashed the Cardinals defense on a 35 yard touchdown run to put the Eagles ahead 12-0.  After forcing another turnover on downs, the Eagles regained possession toward the end of the first quarter and began marching the ball toward the end zone on a pair of great runs by QB Brad Beaver.

On the first play of the second quarter Beaver took off on another bootleg and left the Cardinals defense in his dust as he raced into the endzone fron 25 yards out.  It was a brilliant series by the young quarterback who showed incredible speed and agility as he single-handedly carved up the Cardinals defense on the drive.  Javin Wright punched in the extra point attempt to put the Eagles ahead 19-0.  Good Times!!  The Eagles finished the half on defense highlighted by a huge sack by Anthony Saba and a timely interception by Triston Dalmolin.

The third quarter was highlighted by the defense as Tyler Magee and Braden Bauer recorded sacks.  The Eagles bought some insurance on a brilliant run by the Eagles fleet footed tight end Javin “Buddha” Wright on an end around that ended up in the end zone.  Can you say, “Dagger”?!

The Eagles offense moved the ball effectively in the second half, but the defense was the story.  Darian Lucero, Darin Elli, and Braden Bauer all made fantastic plays in the Cardinal backfield.  As the fourth quarter drew to a close, Coach Beaver started to call some running plays for players that had yet to carry the ball for the Eagles this season.  Tyler Magee ran the ball around the left end for 7 tough yards, Braden Bauer bulldozed his way for a first down, and Chase Ferry bounced off Cardinal defenders on a great run for the Eagles.  Wyatt Harris capped off the game with another interception to ice the game as the final whistle blew with the Eagles ahead 25-6.

With the win, the Eagles move to 5-2 on the season.  The regular season finale is next week at 10:30am at Queen Creek Middle School where the Eagles will face off against the 5-2 Special Forces for the #2 seed in the playoffs.  Go EAGLES!!