Eagles bounce back strong
by Steve Ruthsatz
Tribune Sports Correspondent
September 12, 2009 01:00 AM | 819 views | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend | print
After getting rolled last week at McEachern, Etowah returned the favor against Kennesaw Mountain on Friday, escaping to a 43-12 win at Eagle Stadium.

The win was the Eagles' fourth straight over their Region 5AAAAA rival, dating back to when the series began in 2006.

"We've got a lot of new guys on both sides of the field and we're just hoping to keep getting better and better each week," Etowah coach Bill Stewart said. "We're just trying to keep improving and keep chopping an axe to get as good as we can."

The Eagles (2-1, 1-1) opened the contest with a 14-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown run by Ryan Wilborn. The extra-point attempt sailed wide, but Etowah had a 6-0 lead with 6:12 left in the first quarter.

Four possessions later, the Eagles went from their own 23-yard line to the Kennesaw Mountain 46 before losing a fumble that was recovered by the Mustangs' Edgar Ortiz.

Kennesaw Mountain (0-3, 0-2) took over, but, on its first play from scrimmage, the hosts got the ball right back when Etowah's Josh Weot intercepted a pass. The Eagles gave the ball up on downs, however, at Kennesaw Mountain's 27-yard line.

After a Mustang punt, Etowah covered 45 yards on four plays for a score. Taylor Majors pulled in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Braden Nolan, Kyle Riordan's point-after was good and the Eagles led, 13-0, with 1:54 to go in the second period.

Kennesaw Mountain was in punt formation on the ensuing possession but the snap from the center sailed over the punter's head and through the end zone for a safety, giving Etowah a 15-0 advantage with 1:02 remaining in the second quarter.

The Eagles' Tanner Romine responded by taking the free kick following the safety into the end zone from 73 yards out for another score. Riordan's point after gave the hosts a 22-0 lead with 51 seconds left before halftime.

Kennesaw Mountain opened the second half by driving 65 yards on nine snaps to get on the scoreboard. A 29-yard touchdown scamper by Devon Jones and a missed extra-point made the score 22-6 at the 8:21 mark of the third period.

Three plays later, Etowah answered with a 50-yard touchdown run from Jason Holdway. Riordan's kick was true and the Eagles led, 29-6.

On the final play of the third quarter, Etowah converted a fake punt to keep a drive alive and eventually scored when Holdway finished off a 79-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown run. Riordan's point-after made it a 36-6 game early in the fourth period.

After getting the ball back on downs, the Eagles concluded their scoring on a 43-yard touchdown run by Nolan. Riordan again knocked the ball through the uprights and Etowah was ahead, 43-6.

The Mustangs drove 66 yards on their final drive of the night, reaching the end zone in 13 plays. Antoine Harden's 4-yard touchdown run made the score 43-12 with 45 seconds remaining.

"We just got whipped up front," Kennesaw Mountain coach Scott Jones said. "We're young and inexperienced and it's showing. We don't have a whole lot of depth. We've got to go back to work on Monday and just try to get better."

Holdway finished with 143 yards on 11 carries for Etowah while Nolan gained 85 yards in 12 attempts.
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