EAGLE PASS EAGLES FOOTBALL GRIDIRON NEWS Eagles fall to Laredo Alexander Bulldogs 42 to 16 District 29-6A Opener By: Conrado Perez, Jr. – Eagle Pa
EAGLE PASS EAGLES FOOTBALL GRIDIRON NEWS
Eagles fall to
Laredo Alexander Bulldogs 42 to 16
District 29-6A Opener
By: Conrado Perez, Jr. – Eagle Pass Sports Central
“Your best and only source for local sports news in Eagle Pass”
The Eagle Pass Eagles varsity football team under the direction of head coach Tom Gonzalez coming off their hard earned victory over the C.C. Winn Mavericks last Friday had a short week to prepare for their District 29-6A opening matchup against the Laredo Alexander Panthers on Thursday, September 15, 2016 in a 7:30 PM gridiron encounter at the Laredo United Student Activity Center. The home standing Laredo Alexander Bulldogs entered with a winless 0-3 mark while the visiting Eagle Pass Eagles ventured in sporting an overall season record of 2-1. The home standing Laredo Alexander Bulldogs stunned the visiting Eagles notching their first victory of the season by the final score of 42 to 16 over the Eagle Pass Eagles.
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On their second offensive series of this game, the home standing Alexander Bulldogs began to exploit the fact that the Eagles starting defense was severely depleted due to injuries suffered last week in their game against C.C. Winn especially to the defensive front four, Defensive end Caleb Garcia was already out with a back injury the week befr and now fellow defensive Angel Miranda was out due to an ankle injury and defensive takle Jesus Fernandez was out with a shoulder injury. But it cannot be used as an excuse as the backups have to be ready to take over those duties when called upon.
The Alexander Bulldogs began to utilize their dual threat offensive attack through the ground and through the air against the Eagles orchestrating a five play 49 yard scoring drive with a 26 yard pass from Matthew Connor to wide receiver Leo Garza with 4:36 left in the opening quarter. Max De Leon tacked on the point after to give the Bulldogs a 7 to 0 lead over the Eagles.
On their next offensive series, the Bulldogs struck quickly as slot back Dante Swain to the direct snap from center and sprinted 69 yards practically untouched right down the heart of the Eagles defense and into the end zone. On the ensuing point after attempt, Eagles safety Alan Morales blocked the kick and teammate line backer David Kypuros scooped up the errant pigskin and rambled 95 yards to pay dirt for a two-point conversion making the score Bulldogs 13 Eagles 2.
The Eagles offense who were struggling their running game going, went to the airway with a well executed two play 65 yard scoring drive punctuated with a 48 yard touchdown pass from Ricky Medina to wide receiver Isaac Perales early in the second quarter. The Eagles two-point conversion pass to Ricky Reyes was good making the score 13 to 10 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Laredo Alexander quickly answered right back with a time consuming 73 yard scoring drive capped off with an 8 yard strike from Bulldogs signal caller Matthew Connor to wide receiver Leo Garza late in the first half. The Bulldogs also tacked on a two-point conversion pass to extend their lead to 21 to 10.
The Eagles finally began to get their running going late if the first half as they mounted a 70 yard scoring drive culminating with a 12 yard sprint to the promise land by tailback Mark Venegas on a critical 4th and goal situation. The two-point conversion attempt failed but the Eagles had now narrowed their deficit to 21 to 16 heading into the halftime break.
The second half of this contest however proved to be all Bulldogs as they went on to tack on three more touchdown passes of 32, 39, and 46 yards respectfully from their standout quarterback Matthew Connor who at one point was a perfect 13 for 13 in the passing department before he threw his first incomplete pass.
The visiting Eagle Pass Eagles who fought their hearts out despite being shorthanded on defense were held scoreless in the second half by the Bulldogs defense as their defensive line simply dominated the line of scrimmage with their aggressive attack mode that beat the Eagles offensive to the punch all game long holding the Eagles running game who had been averaging 264 yards rushing per game to only 146 yards rushing for the game. The Bulldogs thus came away with their first victory of the season by the final score of 42 to 16 over the valiant Eagle Pass Eagles.
The Eagle Pass Eagles will return to their gridiron battles next Saturday, September 24, 2016 where they will host the Laredo LBJ Wolves in a 7:00PM District 29-6A football matchup at the Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium. This game is also designated as Parent’s night with the Eagles varsity football players honoring their respective parents during pregame festivities. Eagle Pass Sports Central invites the entire community of Eagle Pass, Texas to come out to the stadium this coming Saturday and support the mighty Eagles.
OFFICIAL GAME STATS
EAGLES OPPONENT
First Downs n/a n/a
Att./ Yds. Rushing 33/146 30/131
Yards Passing 146 266
Total Yards 292 397
Pass att./comp./int’s 11/34/1 21/30/1
Return Yards 32 43
Punts /Avg. 4/29.5 4/36.0
Fumbles/Lost 1/1 0/0
Penalties/Yards n/a n/a
OFFICIAL INDIVIDUAL STATS
PASSING:
#4 Ricky Medina 10 comp. 28 att. 1 int. 136 yds. 1TD
#10 Ricardo Luna 1 comp. 6 at. 10 yds.
RUSHING:
#3 Brian Palacios 2 att. -2 yds.
#4 Ricky Medina 10 att. 46 yds.
#7 Mark Venegas 16 att. 77 yds. 1TD
#9 Jose Riojas 1 att. 1 yd.
#20 Ricky de Los Santos 4 att. 24 yds.
RECEIVING:
#3 Brian Palacios 2 rec. 22 yds.
#7 Mark Venegas 4 rec. 14 yds.
#9 Jose Riojas 2 rec. 27 yds.
#14 Isaac Perales 3 rec. 83 yds. 1TD
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