Tuesday's Eagle Write Up - The RIGHT one

Eagles can’t overcome quick strikes by Mustangs

WEST – Down 28-22 with just over a minute to play, Riley Garner gave the Eagles a last-chance effort when he recovered a Mustang fumble at the St. Mary’s 16-yard line. On third down, however, St. Mary’s intercepted a pass and ran it back for another score to win 34-22 in West on Tuesday, Sept. 30. According to the St. Mary’s coach, his team had not been scored on this season.
With the Eagles down by 12 in the second quarter, Blaine Landers grabbed an interception. Two plays later, Ben Schams scored on a 41-yard run and Will McCurdy ran in the PAT to get BCS within 4 points. Unfortunately, St. Mary’s answered with a quick strike of its own.
On the ensuing drive, McCurdy had a three-yard gain on 4th-and-1 to give the Eagles another set of downs. As time expired in the first half, Gentry Gayle threw a perfect pass to Landers, who ran it in for a score as the horn blew. The PAT run was no good, but the Eagles were within striking distance, 20-14, at the half.
The Eagles got the ball first in the second half. After a holding call, they had 2nd-and-20 when Gayle threw another pass to Landers. Landers and the defender both bobbled it several times, but Landers came down with the ball for a 19 yard gain. After a loss on the next play, BCS went for it on fourth down, but came up short. St. Mary’s again scored on the first play for a 28-14 lead after the PAT.
The Eagles showed they could strike quick, too, when Gayle threw a well-timed pass to Justin Duewall on first down. Duewall never had to break stride, caught the ball and ran down the field for a 67-yard touchdown. McCurdy again ran in the PAT and the Eagles were back within six points.
St. Mary’s turned the ball over on downs at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Starting on their own 44-yard line, the Eagles used 13 plays to drive the ball all the way to the St. Mary’s 15, but could not convert on 4th-and-4. Four plays earlier, Schams threw a 12-yard halfback-pass to Landers on 4th-and-11 to keep the drive alive. Garner would give the Eagles one last shot with his fumble recovery, but St. Mary’s closed things out with the interception.
Schams finished with 90 yards on 17 carries. McCurdy carried the ball 18 times for 65 yards and had a 59-yard kickoff return in the first half. Landers had three catches for 58 yards and Duewall had two catches for 84 yards.
Ryan Baron led the Eagle defense with five tackles. Eric Lucas and Michel Kahil both had three tackles. Lucas, along with Cole Elms and Landers, had one onside/kickoff recovery each.
BCS (1-3) will try to bounce back on October 23rd when they host Snook. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.