Second-Half Rally leads Eagle Pass Eagles past Killeen Ellison 27-16
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles rallied in the second-half from a 14-7 halftime deficit to defeat the Killeen Ellison High School Eagles 27-16 on Saturday, August 30, 2014, at Rutledge Stadium in Converse, Texas, earning their first win of the season (1-0).
The Killeen Ellison Eagles struck first in the game on an 85 yard kick-off touchdown return to open the game and the point after attempt was good to take an early 7-0 lead, stunning the Eagle Pass Eagles.
The Eagle Pass Eagles regrouped and marched down the Rutledge Stadium artificial turf for a 79 yard touchdown drive, culminating with a four yard touchdown run by Eagles running back Mark Venegas. The point after attempt was good, tying the game at 7-7 each.
The Eagle Pass Eagles defense played superb as they stuffed the Killeen Ellison Eagles potent offense from scoring after a fumble recovery in the first quarter.
Eagle Pass’s offense moved the football down the field but turned the ball over in the end zone on an interception in the second quarter.
Killeen Ellison capitalized on the interception by scoring an 80 yard touchdown run by Ellison’s quarterback and the extra point was good to give Killeen Ellison a 14-7 halftime lead.
In the second half, Eagle Pass took the opening kick-off and engineered a 76 yard touchdown drive, culminating in a 16 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ty Chisum to wide receiver Joseph Barrientos while place kicker Gonzalo Martinez added the extra point to tie the game at 14-14 each in the third quarter.
The Eagle Pass Eagles stout defense shut down the explosive Killeen Ellison offense during the third and fourth quarters led by linebackers R.J. Valdez and Mando Lopez together with defensive backs Deshawn Franklin, Jesse Mata, and Carlos Rodriguez.
In the fourth quarter, Eagle Pass’s offense scored another touchdown on a 70 yard drive resulting in a two yard touchdown run by Eagles running back Mark Venegas and the extra point was good to give Eagle Pass its first lead in the game 21-14.
Eagle Pass defensive back Carlos Rodriguez intercepted a Killeen Ellison pass late in the fourth quarter giving the Eagles excellent field position at Killeen Ellison’s 16 yard line.
The Eagle Pass Eagles quickly capitalized on the interception and scored their fourth touchdown of the game on a three yard touchdown scamper by running back Mark Venegas, who finished with three touchdowns in the game. Place kicker Gonzalo Martinez’s point after attempt was blocked by Killeen Ellison and returned for a two point conversion by Killeen Ellison, finalizing the score 27-16 in favor of the Eagle Pass Eagles.
Eagle Pass Head Coach Tom Gonzalez told the Eagle Pass Business Journal that the Eagles “had a lot of young kids grow up tonight.” Gonzalez stated that he was pleased the Eagles quickly matured during the game and responded to the challenge. Gonzalez added that the come from behind win over Killeen Ellison will give his young players confidence.
With the impressive season opening victory over the Killeen Ellison Eagles, the Eagle Pass Eagles are 1-0 in the season. The Eagles next play the Laredo Nixon High School Mustangs in a non-district game on Friday, September 5, 2014, at 7:30 P.M. at the Laredo Independent School District Shirley Field in Laredo, Texas.
Eagle Pass Eagles football fans are encouraged to attend the Eagles game against the Laredo Nixon Mustangs this Friday, September 5th, at 7:30 P.M. in Laredo to cheer them on to victory. Go Eagles!
