Eagles win rumble with Wildcats, move to 6-0

Lucas Rogers makes a grab for a big gain  Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

FRONT ROYAL, Va.- The Clarke County Eagles bent but didn't break on Friday, as the Eagles held off a determined Warren County team that put up 21 points in the second half but fell short 29-21 in a rumble.

"It was a battle. I told our guys this was a possible trap game," Eagles Coach Chris Parker said. "They're an improved team, playing away, we were going to have to be hitting on all cylinders, Warren County was not gonna lay down for us."

Clarke (6-0) jumped out to an early lead on a three play opening drive that culminated on a 12 yard Peyton Rutherford touchdown run. After the Nick Bahamonde extra point the Eagles led 7-0 with less than a minute gone in the game.

The drive was costly to the Eagles as two way starter Lucas Rogers injured his ankle on a 36 yard reception from Colby Childs. Rogers hobbled off the field and wore an ice pack for most of the game. Rogers entered the game the Eagles leading receiver and third overall in tackles and second in sacks with 5.

Cole Lawson had a solid game on both sides of the ball                Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

The Eagles got two more scores in the second quarter with Cole Lawson going in from 5 yards out and Rutherford getting his second score on the night with a 1 yard plunge. The Eagles were forced to go for two point conversions after kicker Nick Bahamonde was injured on a punt play. Bahamonde mishandled the snap and ran to the right able to get a punt off on the run but was injurered on the play. Bahamonde left the field at the half on crutches and did not return. The extent of Bahamonde's and Rogers injuries were not known as of this article.

"It was pretty much just step up," Lawson said, "We had guys hurting off the field and on the field, but it was pretty much suck it up and make a play or we are going to 5-1."

Warren County (2-3) moved the ball well in the first half behind the rushing of Ronnie Dodson, but twice were held on 4 down plays and went into the intermission down 21-0.

Bryan Wallace and the Eagles defense converge on the Wildcat run game       Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

Warren County came out and continued to pound the ball, a change at quarterback after starter Bryce Post went out with an injury seemed to spark the Wildcats. Jacob Good came in and moved the Wildcats to three scores.

Good hit Ben Vogt on the right sideline and Vogt got behind the Eagle's secondary and scampered 70 yards to put the Wildcats on the board with 1:30 left in the third quarter. An Eagle fumble deep in Clarke territory gave the Wildcats a chance at a second score in less than two minutes.

Good connected again with Vogt on a 15 yard pass over the middle and the Wildcats were within 7 and clearly had the momentum.

Kyle  Baylor makes a defender miss as he looks downfield        Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

The Eagles did not let the comeback rattle them and they were able to come right back down the field behind the running of Rutherford and Kyle Baylor, mixed with some control passes by Childs. Baylor, Clarke's "Mr. Excitement" ripped off a 28 yard touchdown run and Childs busted in for the two point conversion to put Clarke back up 29-14 midway through the third period.

The Wildcats weren't done. Good moved Warren County back down the field and Dodson capped off the scoring drive with a 5 yard td run to put the Cats back within one score.

Clarke took over with almost 6 minutes left and were able to grind out an impressive drive and Childs was able to take a knee deep in Wildcat territory to perserve the win.

"That last drive, I was really proud of our guys the way we were able to eat the clock and take care of business," Parker said. "Our guys bend a little bit at times, but our guys went in there and did what they had to do. It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win."

Peyton Rutherford scored twice for the Eagles on 131 yards rushing    Doug Aylestock / Photography Concepts

For the first time this year Rutherford was held under 200 yards rushing. He ended up with 131 yards on 27 carries and broke the plane twice for his 18, and 19th rushing scores of the season.


The Eagles return home on Friday to face Bull Run rivals, the Central Falcons. The Falcons are 6-0 and have outscored opponents 301-57 and are averaging just over 50 points per game. This will be the opening of the Bull Run District schedule and also the Eagles homecoming. Kickoff at "the Felt" is 7:30PM.

"It's gonna be tough, really tough, we are going to have to get everybody healthy." Rutherford said, "We are going to have to prepare and prepare very well, but the coaches do a good job of that."

More game photo's can be seen at Doug Aylestock's Photography Concepts Page    

Clarke vs Warren Photo's by Doug Aylestock

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