Eagles capture first round playoff win advance to next level

Kyle Baylor 2 touchdowns   CCS/Moe Murphy

BERRYVILLE, VA- The Clarke County Eagles rebounded after a slow start to defeat the Robert E. Lee Fighting Leemen 28-7 in the first round of the VHSL 2A Eastern Region football playoffs.

The teams traded punts on their first series and then the Leemen went to work with a balanced attack of running and passing culminating with a one yard touchdown run by Jaymond Venable-Chisley midway through the first quarter. The lead held up until the halftime intermission, although the Eagles defense came up tough twice in the first half stopping Lee turnovers with a Lucas Rogers fumble recovery near the goal line and an interception by Kyle Baylor in the Lee end zone.

"I have to give credit to my defensive line for causing the fumble." Rogers said, "All I did was catch the ball, run and react."

Clarke County (9-2) was able to drive into Lee territory twice but were stopped both times on fourth down.

"We told our team we are not used to this, being down at the half." Eagles coach Chris Parker said, "Basically we are going to have to treat the second half like we are starting a brand new game."

The Eagles did exactly that as they came out and marched 65 yards with Hunter Rogers scoring from 12 yards out, the first of his two touchdowns four minutes into the third quarter. Rogers put the Eagles ahead for good early in the fourth quarter with an 8 yard run.

Rogers ended the night with 204 yards on 31 carries.

Lee (4-7) moved the ball at times during the second half but were unable to mount a threat after Clarke took the lead.

Sophomore back Kyle  scored the first of his two touchdowns as he outran the Lee defense and went 47 yards untouched.

On the ensuing drive, Baylor grabbed his second interception of the night and raced 52 yards to ice the victory for the Eagles.

"We came out and won the second half like we were supposed to." Baylor said, "Sometimes things don't turn out like they are supposed to, we just came out and played better in the first half.

The Eagles gained 331 yards rushing and  held Lee to 220 yards total offense. Eagles kicker Nick Bahamonde was  4 for 4 on point after attempts.

"In the second half we didn't panic, we stuck to our game plan, our guys responded and defensively we made the plays and good things happened." Parker said.

The Eagles will face the Buffalo Gap Bison on Friday at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium in Berryville. Kickoff is set for 7:00PM

Highlights and post game interviews can be seen below on the Clarke County Sports Game of the Week.