Balanced Offense Lifts Eagles to First Win of the Season
By David Latva

Joel VanHise

Five players scored for the Engadine Eagles as the football team totaled 491 yards of offense during a 40-12 Mid-Eastern Football League (MEFL) road win over Bark River-Harris Broncos Friday, October 12.

The Eagles, 1-6 in the MEFLand 1-7 overall, have played well at times this season, and against the Broncos (1-7 in MEFLand overall), Engadine's efforts paid off.

"This team has not quit all year," said Eagles Head Coach Howard Hood. "They believe in each other and have not quit."

The host Broncos led 6-0 after the first quarter before Michael Mast scored from one yard out at the 7:58 mark of the second quarter to notch the score at 6-6.

Engadine took the lead for good on a Phillip Hood 76-yard run. The sophomore quarterback completed the two-point conversion pass to Michael Bennett for a 14-6 advantage.

Bark River- Harris scored to cut the Engadine lead to 14- 12 but, with 2:30 left in the first half, the Eagles drove 76 yards and scored with 8.5 seconds on the clock when Hood ran from eight yards out for a 20-12 halftime lead.

"The team was excited about the halftime lead and the coaching staff told the players to relax and focus for the second half," said Coach Hood. "Our defense stepped up, and the offense scored three touchdowns."

John Troyer

The Eagles defense held the Broncos out of the endzone on two occasions in the third quarter. Ryan Draper scored for Engadine on a 16-yard run and Hood added the two-point conversion to increase the lead to 28-12.

Engadine closed out the scoring with two fourth-quarter touchdowns as John Troyer (9:09) and Joel VanHise (6:05) answered from nine yards out.

The Eagles ran 80 offensive plays and recorded 12 sacks on defense.

The Eagles will entertain Brimley (0-7 in MEFLand overall) during the 25th annual Weather Bowl Friday, October 19, in the final game of the season for both teams.

Bark River-Harris will close out its season on the road against Oneida of Wisconsin (4-2) Thursday, October 18.

Eagles offensive stats: Phillip Hood, 13 carries for 170 yards, four of 10 passing for 25 yards; John Troyer, 19 carries for 113 yards; Michael Mast, 20 carries for 88 yards; Joel VanHise, 11 carries for 51 yards; Ryan Draper, two carries for 20 yards; Eddie Fair, four carries for 18 yards; Mike Sawyer, one reception for seven yards; Michael Bennett, one reception for three yards.

Eagles defensive stats: Michael Mast, 12 tackles, one sack; John Troyer, eight tackles, six sacks; Phillip Hood, eight tackles; Joel VanHise, seven tackles; Ryan Draper, five tackles, one interception; Killian Frisch, five tackles; Eddie Fair, three tackles, one fumble recovery.