Eagles Blank Owensville At Home

The Eagles were firing on all cylinders on Friday night.

The home crowd was cheering all night and Sullivan was ecstatic with a 26-0 victory over Owensville.

Sullivan’s defense stepped up with their fourth shutout of the season.

The Eagles only shut out one opponent last season.

Sullivan’s defense has been overpowering opponents, and by improving to 6-2, have exceeded last season’s win total.

Friday’s victory came at the perfect time for the momentum leading into the postseason.

In the first quarter, Sullivan’s defense put the pressure on Owensville right away.

The Dutchmen received the kickoff, but couldn’t score on the first drive. Cayden Thacker made a big tackle, which caused a fumble and Sullivan recovered.

Franky Erxleben moved the ball right away for Sullivan and Dominic Ransom drove the ball for first down.

The momentum drove the Eagles to score on their first drive when Gabe Dace passed the ball to Sam Summers. Erxleben ran the ball in for the two point conversion and Sullivan took the early 8-0 lead at 5:03.

Owensville’s next drive hurt the Dutchmen. Penalties forced the Dutchmen to a fourth-and-24 and they punted the ball away.

In the second quarter, Owensville started with good motivation after they recovered a fumble from Sullivan.

Thacker and Dayton Skaggs tackled Owensville and timeout was called with over 10 minutes left.

The Eagles took over on downs and Erxleben kept adding the rushing yards.

Gabe Dace passed the ball to Erxleben and Jeremiah Rodriguez ran the ball for the first down. Rodriguez ran the ball in for a touchdown and a two point conversion and Sullivan led 16-0 with a little over six minutes remaining.

Sullivan’s defense continued to dominate the Dutchmen when Colton Brendel and Ransom brought them down on a tackle. Sullivan’s defense stopped Owensville from scoring and Gabe Dace just took a knee to end the quarter since Sullivan got the ball to start the final half.

In the third quarter, the Eagles soared to another touchdown. Erxleben gained six on a run and another Owensville penalty gave them the first down. Ransom kept up his stellar performance and ran the ball for a first down. Sullivan kep wheeling the ball for first downs and Dayton Skaggs drove it in for a first down. Skaggs scored the next touchdown on a five yard run. Erxleben ran the ball in for the two point conversion and the score was 24-0 at 5:53. Owensville took a time out at 5:36 after a big Owensville run. Brendel recorded two more big tackles and the Dutchmen were at a third and four. Jonathon Martin broke up a pass and Owensville was at a fourth and four. They went for it and converted the first down on a pass to Gabe Soest. After two plays, the Dutchmen fumbled the ball and Sullivan swooped the loose ball. The final score became 26-0 when Sullivan’s defense forced a safety.

“Defense played great,” said Head Coach Eddie Haar about the victory. “We were able to clean up in the second half and control the game.”

Erxleben had another unbelievable night 107 rushing yards. Skaggs followed with forty yards. Ransom ran for 38. Rodriguez recorded 33.

Gabe Dace threw one touchdown and 90 yards. Summers led in yards receiving with 81.

Up next: The Eagles will end their regular season at home on Thursday against North County.