WINNSBORO – It was all Richard Winn all night on Friday, September 22, as the Eagles coasted past the King Academy Knights at Ruff Field. The Eagle defense attacked early and often, recording six tackles for loss and holding the Knights to just six points and 83 yards of total offense.
King received the opening kickoff but failed to convert on fourth down as quarterback Ty Doolittle could not connect with receiver Jesse Parrish.
The Eagles took over at their own 48 yard line and put together a four-play, 48-yard drive climaxed by a 14-yard screen pass from quarterback Charlie Bonds to receiver Drew Spires. The Knights blocked Josh Tyndall’s point-after kick, but the Eagles were ahead 6-0.
The Knight’s second possession stalled on fourth down, and the Eagles regained possession at their own 41 yard line. The Eagles gained 14 yards on two running plays before a block in the back penalty against the Eagles pushed them back to the 42 yard line. Two plays later, Bonds found Spires open for a 52-yard touchdown strike. Tyndall’s kick was good and the Eagles led 13-0.
The Eagles forced the Knights to punt on the next drive, and Spires returned the punt to the King 44 yard line. On first down, Landon Smith scurried 44 yards for the Eagles’ third score. Tyndall’s kick gave the Eagles a 20-0 lead.
The Knights’ offense struggled throughout the remainder of the first half. After an incomplete pass from Doolittle, the Eagles took over on downs at the King 44 yard line. Bonds completed a nine-yard pass to Tyndall, followed by four straight runs, culminating in an Eli Smith dash to the end zone from the six yard line. The Eagles led 27-0 after Tyndall’s kick split the uprights.
The Eagles regained possession once more in the half after Ryan Hill sacked Doolittle for a loss of 7 on third down. The Knights’ punt was downed at the Eagles’ 19 yard line.
Bennett Nicholson took over play-calling duties and led the Eagles on a 10-play, 81-yard drive to score with 17 seconds remaining in the half. Nicholson found an open Jonathan Bonds for the score, and the Eagles headed into halftime up 34-0.
The Eagles would score once more in the contest on a six yard run by Hoffman Sharpe. Tyndall’s kick was blocked, but the Eagles had a staggering lead, 40-0.
The Knights’ lone score came on a 20-yard pass from Doolittle to Parrish. The Knights could not convert the two-point attempt, but prevented the shutout.
Neither team would score before time expired, and the Eagles’ record improved to 4-1 on the season.
The Eagles gained 365 yards of total offense: 114 yards in the air and 251 yards on the ground.
Charlie Bonds was 4 for 4 passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Nicholson was 4 for 7 for 33 yards and one touchdown. Spires caught five passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Bonds also caught a touchdown pass. Eli Smith rushed for 47 yards on seven touches and one touchdown. Landon Smith gained 76 yards on five carries and one touchdown. Hoffman Sharpe ran for 57 yards on eight carries and one touchdown.
Eagles Head Coach Paul Brigman said they had a great week of practice and carried that into the game on Friday night.
“This game gave us an opportunity to play some of our younger players which we hope will build depth as we start looking forward to the playoffs,” he said.
The Eagles face off against Conway Christian on Friday, September 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm at Ruff Field in Winnsboro.
