The Engadine captains (from left) Phillip Hood (12), Ryan Draper (24), Killian Frisch (80), and Blaine Butkovich (58) during the pre-game coin toss prior to the Eagles season opener against St. Basil of Ontario Saturday, August 30. Engadine dropped the season opener to St. Basil of Ontario, 52- 15, Saturday, August 30.

"Overall I was pleased with our effort," said Eagles first year Coach Lester Livermore Jr. "We did some positive things, but we will need to improve to get ready for Cedarville."

The Eagles stayed close, trailing 18-15 at 9:07 of the second quarter, before St. Basil scored two touchdowns late in the first half and added three scores in the second half.

St. Basil, a school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with an enrollment of more than 750 students, scored first for a 6-0 lead at the 8:00 mark of the first quarter.

The Eagles answered three minutes later as Phillip Hood returned the ensuing kickoff to the Saints 49-yard line. Six plays later, Hood scored from 26 yards out and Michael Klobucher kicked the extra point for an 8-6 advantage, with 5:06 left in the opening quarter.

Phillip Hood (12) completes this first-half pass against St. Basil. The junior quarterback completed 10 of 19 passes for 124 yards. St. Basil scored a touchdown late in the first quarter and added another score at 10:05 of the second quarter to increase the lead to 18-7.

Engadine bounced back as Hood and Klobucher combined on a 43-yard scoring pass. The pair notched the two-point conversion to cut St. Basil's lead to 18-15.

St. Basil closed out the first half with two touchdowns to take control going into the second half.

Eagles offensive statistics: Phillip Hood, 10 of 19 passing for 124 yards, three carries for 36 yards; Michael Klobucher, seven receptions for 92 yards; Killian Frisch, three receptions for 30 yards; Ryan Draper, three receptions for 23 yards.

Eagles defensive statistics: Killian Frisch, 19 tackles, two quarterback sacks; Ryan Draper, 10 tackles, one pass interception; Phillip Hood, David Fowell, Matt Rose, Kyle Franklin, seven tackles; Michael Klobucher, Michael Sawyer, four tackles.

Engadine will travel to Cedarville to face the Trojans Friday, September 5.