Warriors club Eagles for third district victory
Staff writer
Peabody-Burns High School Warriors earned a third district victory at home Friday defeating the Olpe Eagles, 26-16.
The evening also included recognition of fall sports senior athletes during half-time ceremonies.
Brandon Crabtree nabbed the first tackle of the game, stopping the Eagles at the Olpe 38-yard line on the Warrior kick-off.
The Eagles moved the sticks once in the first series of the game, working their way to the Warrior 22. Tackles were recorded by Ryan Gaines, Mario Nava, and Crabtree. The drive was halted by a Micah Hilliard interception of an Eagle pass and Warrior offense went to work on their own 29.
Hilliard caught a Todd Woodruff pass on first down to move the line of scrimmage to the Warrior 47. Nava rushed for one on first down. On second-and-nine from the Warrior 49, Woodruff pitched the ball to Nava. Nava went to the left side and covered 51 yards for the first score of the contest. Brian Baker kicked the extra point and the Warriors went up 7-0, with 8:28 left to play in the first.
Warrior defense held the Eagles to only four downs on the next series. Baker, Nava, and Crabtree came up with stops and Isaiah Eldridge and Crabtree both sacked the quarterback for a loss. The Eagles were forced to punt on fourth-and-27.
Warrior offense started at the Eagle 46. Kurt Phillips carried on first down. A Woodruff pass to Hilliard set up third-and-one. Phillips was stopped on third down, but on fourth and inches Woodruff popped through the right side of the line to give the Warriors a first-and-goal at the 10-yard line. Eagle defense thwarted the first three Warrior tries for the score. On fourth-and-goal at the five, Nava pushed hard to reach the end zone. Baker kicked the extra point and the Warriors were up 14-0 with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter.
Two series later, a Warrior fumble deep in Warrior territory set up the first Olpe score of the contest. On second-and-goal at the one, the Eagles ran for the score. The extra point was no good and the gap narrowed to 14-6 with 7:54 in the second quarter.
The Warriors answered the Olpe score on third-and-one from the Eagle 30. Woodruff headed for the end zone, covering 70 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Warriors went up 20-9 with 4:37 left in the half.
The next Warrior offensive series started at their own 26. Four Nava carries earned a new set of downs. Phillips moved the sticks on two carries to set up first-and-10 at the Olpe 40. A penalty pushed the Warriors back to the Warrior 47. Trevor Hamm came up with a reception on second-and-22 to bring up a third-and-five. The drive ended with two incomplete passes and the Eagles took over on their own 35.
Warrior defense smothered the Eagles on first-and-10. Eldridge sacked the quarterback creating a fumble. Baker caught the ball on the bounce and ran it in for the score. The two-point try failed. With just 33 seconds left on the clock the Warriors increased their lead, 26-9.
A short Warrior kick-off, Warrior pass interference, personal foul penalties, and a couple Eagle passes combined to set up a late Eagle score to put the half-time score at 26-16.
Warrior offense started the second half with Nathan Bishop taking the Eagle kick-off. Bishop also caught a pass to move the sticks on first down. Nava earned a new set of downs on a first down run. The drive ended with a Baker punt.
Second half offense moved the ball but failed to produce points. Highlights included passes caught by Bishop and Hilliard. Phillips, Nava, and Woodruff all rushed in the half. Penalties made problems for the Warriors, stopping several drives.
Warrior defense made big plans throughout the second half to keep the Eagles out of the end zone. Bishop came up with an interception and Hilliard added two more, giving him a total of four for the night. Stops were made by Hilliard, James Morris, Crabtree, Gaines, Phillips, Nava, Eldridge, Baker, Bishop, and Woodruff.
Nava led the Warriors in rushing with 19 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Woodruff rushed 12 for 123 yards and one touchdown. Phillips had 16 carries for 68 yards.
Woodruff threw seven for 15 totaling 84 yards. Hilliard caught four passes for 33 yards. Bishop caught two for 34 yards and Hamm caught one for 17 yards.
Baker punted twice for 76 yards and scored a touchdown with a fumble return. Crabtree, Eldridge, and Gaines had two sacks each. Nava also had a sack.
Nava and Eldridge led the defense with 11 tackles each. Hilliard and Crabtree had seven each. Bishop had six and Morris, Gaines, and Woodruff had five each. Other tackle totals include Baker and Phillips with four and Hamm with one.
The Warriors are now 7-2 and advanced to bi-district competition Tuesday against Canton-Galva.
