Clarke County Sports: Eagles tame Cougars, move to 2-0

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Eagles tame Cougars, move to 2-0

Peyton Rutherford paced the Eagles with 128 yards and 3 TD's Photo by Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

BERRYVILLE, Va.- The Clarke County Eagles picked up their second consecutive win with a 49-0 thumping of Manassas Park Cougars Friday night at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium. For the second week in a row sophomore Peyton Rutherford found paydirt three times, gaining 178 yards on 7 carries.

With talk of a possible let down after the big opening win against Dominion, Clarke County (2-0) made sure that was not going to happen. The Eagles did not disappoint the large crowd on Hall of Fame night.

Rico Nappi scores on defense with a fumble recovery Photo by James Murphy / CCS

"Our practice this week was just like any other week," Linebacker Rico Nappi said. "We treated them [Manassas Park] just like any other team, and came out and grinded."

Nappi scored one of Clarke's four first quarter touchdowns recovering a Cougar fumble in the endzone. He also added an interception to help the Eagles secure a shutout.

The Eagles quickly went up 28-0 in the first quarter scoring on the ground, through the air, by defense, and special teams.

Rutherford went in on the third play of the game from 21 yards out, after the Eagles defense held Kyle Baylor bobbled a punt, picked it up broke to the outside and scampered 41 yards for the Eagles second score within 4 plays.

"I dropped the punt and picked it up, saw the sideline open and just ran towards it." Baylor said.

Kyle Baylor's concentration shows,but he was unable to come down in bounds. Photo by Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

Baylor also made a spectacular catch in the end zone but unfortunately could not get his foot inside the line.

Nappi's fumble recovery in the endzone was the third score of the quarter and Eagles quarterback Colby Childs capped a drive going 4 for 4 and finding Rutherford for a 6 yard touchdown pass, the Eagles never looked back.

"We never take an opponent lightly," Eagles coach Chris Parker said. "We wanted to come in the game and do what we do, but then we wanted to work on some things. We had a game plan to work on our passing game in game like situations. That's why we threw it. We came out and pounded it and then started to throw it."

"It felt awesome," Childs said. "The offensive line did their jobs and gave me time to throw the ball, the wide receivers and tight ends caught the ball and it was a good night."

Childs finished the game 6 of 13 for 77 yards and a touchdown. Childs also added a 12 yard run.

Colby Childs rips off a 12 yard run moving the Eagles offense Photo by James Murphy / CCS

The Eagles defense smothered Manassas Park (0-2) all night with the Cougars never able to mount any kind of a threat. The game was out of reach by halftime with the Eagles entering the locker room with a 42-0 lead.

The Eagles were able to empty their bench and get everybody some quality playing time,as they prepare to go on the road and face local rival, Handley on Saturday at the Handley Bowl.

Our defense played great, as far as I know everybody got quality time with a running clock in the second half, and 49 points and a shutout, I can't complain.