Warriors defeat Canton-Galva
Staff writer
Peabody-Burns High School football squad chalked up another win Friday night at home defeating the Canton-Galva Eagles, 29-21.
The first drive for the Warriors started at the Warrior 20-yard line. Todd Woodruff and Mario Nava combined ground work to earn a fresh set of downs. Kurt Phillips got in on the action on the next set of downs.
With good blocking from Isaiah Eldridge and Brandon Crabtree, Phillips earned a first-and-10 on a fourth-and-four to put the Warriors at the Eagle 43. On second-and-14, Woodruff was patient, running behind good blocking to put the first score up for the contest. The extra point was no good and the Warriors went up 6-0, with 7:42 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles put together a good drive on the next series, moving the ball downfield from their own 37. The Eagles had success with the passing game, moving the sticks twice on third downs. The drive ended with a touchdown on third-and-three with 3:01 on the clock. The kick was no good and the game was tied at 6-6.
The next Warrior series started at their own 30-yard line. Nava, Woodruff, and Philips all ran the ball, but the drive ended early in the second quarter with a Brian Baker punt.
Warrior defense went to work on the Eagles at the Eagle 18. Philips, Ryan Gaines, Crabtree, Jonathan Foth, Nava, and Eldridge all recorded stops on the drive. The Eagles were forced to punt. Peabody took over on offense at the Warrior 35.
Striking quickly on first-and-5 from the 30-yard line, Micah Hilliard took off with a lateral pass from Woodruff to the end zone, covering 70 yards. At 6:41 in the second quarter, the Warriors took the lead. Phillips ran the conversion to put the score at 14-6.
The Eagles started their next drive mid-field at their own 46. The Eagles moved the sticks once on a completed pass, but an Eagle fumble on the next play was recovered by Baker and the Warrior offense went back on the field.
The Warriors started at their own 45-yard line. Woodruff tossed a 45-yard completion to Phillips on first down to set up first-and-goal on the five-yard line. A pitch to Phillips on the right side gave the Warriors the score with 5:51 left in the second. The extra point by Baker was successful and the Warriors took a 21-6 lead.
Warrior defense held the next offensive series for the Eagles and forced a punt.
The Warriors chewed up the clock on the following series. Philips, Nava, and Woodruff all ran the ball and Nathan Bishop caught a Woodruff pass on fourth-and-six, to keep the drive alive. The Warriors got to the Eagle 15, but turned the ball over on downs with 20 seconds left in the half.
The half ended with an Eagle kneel down and the Warriors were up 21-6.
The Warriors started the second half on offense, but the first series ended with a Baker punt.
Todd Woodruff intercepted an Eagle pass almost immediately and put the offense back on the field. The series was filled with penalties and Baker punted again.
Bishop, Crabtree, Hilliard, Gaines, Nava, Phillips, Eldridge, and Foth all made tackles on the Eagles to stop the next drive. Nava also recorded a sack on the Eagle quarterback.
One series later, the next Eagle drive ended in an early fourth quarter score. The Eagles had success through the air and set up a first-and-goal at the 10. On second-and-seven, the Eagles scored. The extra point was good and the Warrior lead was cut to 21-13.
Two series later, a Hilliard interception put the Warriors to work at their own 39. Nava and Phillips moved the chains once. Nava, Woodruff, and Phillips combined for the next set of downs. The Warriors were stopped on a third-and-four pass attempt. Phillips took the ball on fourth-and-four at the Eagle 30 and ran to the Eagle nine-yard line. On first-and-goal at the nine, Phillips finished the job with a score. Woodruff ran the conversion and the Warriors took a 29-13 lead with 1:35 left in the game.
The Eagles answered the Warrior score with a fast drive downfield and with just 41 seconds on the clock, the gap narrowed again. The conversion was good and the score was 29-21.
The Warriors were able to control the clock for the remainder of the game and defeated the Eagles 29-21.
"The team put fourth a great effort in this contest," said coach Chris Young. "We added new schemes this past week and the team did its best to implement these changes. I was very proud of them.
"We looked a little ragged at times, but the kids did what they had to and got the victory. The team has worked hard so far this season and the coaching staff will be working harder this week to help them prepare for Sterling," he added.
Woodruff was three-for-nine on the passing game for 129 yards. He also rushed 10 times for 87 yards and one touchdown. Phillips rushed for 114 yards on 16 runs and scored two touchdowns. Phillips also had one reception for 45 yards.
Nava carried 17 times for 47 yards. Micah Hilliard had one reception for 70 yards and a touchdown. Bishop also had a reception for 14 yards.
Brian Baker had five punts on the night for 129 yards, with the longest 40 yards.
Hilliard led the team in tackles with 12. Gaines was next with 11. Foth and Crabtree each had nine.
Other tackle totals include: Nava 8, Bishop 7, Eldridge and Woodruff 6, Phillips 5, Morris 4, and Baker 2.
With the win, the team takes a 4-1 record on the road Friday to Sterling.
