San Tan Youth Football League Eagles

You know that flu thing that’s all over the news? Well, it showed up in Queen Creek this Saturday with a bang as 7 Eagles were unable to dress for the Eagles rematch against an improving Rattlers squad.  In their first game, the Eagles handled the Rattlers with relative ease by a score of 18-6.  To be honest, the score could have been much more lop-sided if Coach Beaver hadn’t decided to take the foot off the gas in the second half.

With all the missing players, the Eagles were going to have to gut this one out and do whatever it took to get the “W”.  It was one of those, “Just Win Baby” games.  No need for style points, just get the win and for gosh sake… don’t cough on anybody!

The Eagles “Silver O” set the tone and absolutely dominated the opening quarter led by Joshua “Crazy Legs” Johnson on a 30 yard scamper during the Eagles first drive.  Wolfgang Kassa, Javin Wright, and Braden Bauer followed up Josh’s run with fine runs in their own right to put the Eagles in scoring position.  JJ capped the drive with another spectacular run into the endzone.  The Eagles D dominated the opening quarter highlighted by a timely fumble recovery by Thomas Lorimer… it was clear that despite their depleted numbers, the Eagles came to play.

The Eagles kicked off to open the first quarter of regulation play.  If it wasn’t clear already that the Eagles came to play on this day, it was absolutely clear when the Eagles “Black D” took the field on the opening possession.  Wolfgang “Gangsta” Kassa made two enormous plays from his defensive tackle position recording a thunderous sack and a vicious hit on a tackle for loss to regain possession of the ball for the Eagles.

The Eagles offensive ground attack was able to move the ball in the first half, but untimely penalties and strong play by the Rattlers defense thwarted the Eagles and prevented the Eagles from scoring.  It was a defensive struggle for sure and the Eagles were bringing the wood on defense.  The second quarter was highlighted by tackles for loss by Chris Galloway and Javin Wright both of whom seemed to be all over the field.  The half fittingly ended tied 0-0.  Gut check time!

The Eagles began the second half with the ball, but were unable to move the chains resulting in a turnover on downs.  The Eagles D picked up where it left off in the first half with stellar plays by Wright, Galloway and Drew Ball who all recorded tackles in the Rattlers backfield forcing the Rattlers to punt deep within their own territory.

Josh Johnson fielded the punt and zigged and zagged his way deep into Rattler territory for the Eagles best field position of the game.  The Eagles wasted little time capitalizing on the favorable field position as Anthony Saba scored on a 25 yard scamper to put the Eagles ahead 6-0.  the way the Eagles defense was playing, the Eagles had to like their chances.

The fourth quarter was a defensive clinic for the Eagles.   Several Eagles including Javin Wright, Anthony Saba, Drew Ball, Cash Heath, Bay Finch, and Bryce Danielson all recorded tackles for loss in the stanza.  I don’t have any official stats, but I’m pretty sure the Rattlers ended up with negative yardage in the second half.  Bryce Danielson was an absolute beast in this game recording 3 sacks and several tackles for loss.  Bay Finch also pitched in with a sack to cap off a game that belonged to the Eagles.

The game ended with the Eagles ahead 6-0 and moved the Eagles to 4-2 on the season.  The Eagles play the Cardinals (0-6) in a rematch of their overtime thriller during Week 2 of the season.  Should the Eagles win that game to move to 5-2 it sets up a huge regular season finale with the Special Forces that will have playoff seeding implications on 10/24.