Football Survives Tigers 28-20

Sullivan (4-3) fended off the St. James Tigers (3-4) for a 28-20 victory on Friday, Oct. 11. The Eagles soared ahead to a three-game winning streak and a number-two spot in their conference. 

Both teams remained neck and neck throughout the first two quarters, tying 14-14 to end the first half. When Sullivan returned to the locker room, head coach Eddie Haar dialed up a game plan to stomp out the Tigers. He said the key to victory “was really pretty simple,” explaining, “We needed to do a much better job upfront on the offensive line, stop limiting ourselves with penalties, and get our defense off the field on third down.”

The Eagles continued fighting in the second half, making two more trips to the end zone. Sullivan’s defense lit up the Tigers, holding them down for one touchdown. Haar was proud of his team for being “able to come out on top” at the end of the battle.

Sullivan is now 4-1 against Four Rivers opponents. St. Clair (5-0) ranks first, followed by Hermann (2-2), Pacific (2-2), St. James (1-3), Union (1-3) and Owensvile (0-4).

The Eagles rushed for a total of 326 yards on the gridiron.

Mark Jennings led Sullivan on the ground with 157 yards, averaging 9.24 per his 17 carries. The junior scored the first touchdown for the Eagles.

Chase Blue dominated with 115 yards on 15 rushes and racked up fourteen points.

Nathan Garcia punched in Sullivan’s final touchdown and the first of his career. He also gained 24 yards on four carries. The rookie running back has served as a valuable piece for the Eagles. He was named Sullivan’s honorary captain against St. James. Haar stated he was “really proud” of the “senior captains for recognizing a freshman for his hard work.”

Eagles quarterback Robert York II sent a 47-yard strike to Seth Valley for his only completed pass.

Kickers Kaden Smith and Josiah Tanner each executed two extra points.

The Eagles hoped to draw first blood, but St. James intercepted their chances in the red zone. The Tigers capitalized on the pick to steal a 7-0 lead.

Sullivan evened the scoreboard when they returned on offense. On 3rd down and 14, R. York launched a 47-yard pass to Valley near the goal line. Jennings then crawled into the end zone, and Smith drilled in the tying point.

The Eagles began at midfield for their opening drive in the second quarter. Blue stormed 27 yards into plus territory, and Jennings juked out defenders to place Sullivan just shy of the pylon. Blue then plowed across the plane for a 14-7 lead.

The Tigers leveled the game at 14-a-piece on their following possession.

Sullivan’s defense prevented St. James from stealing another score before halftime. Linebacker Cameron York shut down a scramble to force a fourth down and defensive back Oliver Borton intercepted the Tigers to end their rally.

The Eagles stormed ahead to a 21-14 lead to begin the second half. Jennings outran the Tigers for a 32-yard gain, and Blue pounded up the gut for his second touchdown. Tanner kicked in the extra point through the uprights.

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