Fair / 66° F
PHS falls despite strong showing
Published 12:09am Saturday, August 21, 2010
Despite a strong showing from the Pleasant Home defense, coach Robert Bradford and the Eagles were unable to overcome the Red Level Tigers at home in their jamboree game, falling 27-13.
Tigers head coach Tony Ingram was optimistic about the win but felt there was much to be desired.
“I knew we had more speed, but I felt we were beat physically.” Ingram said. “ We’ll continue to use these games to keep getting better, winning every game is our No. 1 goal.”
The Eagles made themselves known in the opening drive, keeping the ball on the ground deep into Tiger territory.
Things weren’t so easy after the opening drive however, as the Eagles recovered a punt only to go three-and-out in their next series.
Red Level used a short series to their advantage, and scored their first touchdown with 41 seconds left in the first quarter on a run by junior Raheem Bullock.
After the touchdown, Pleasant Home’s Justin Holt was able to keep it 6-0 by blocking the PAT.
The Tigers kicked a short drive, and ended the quarter by recovering the kickoff to reclaim the ball on their own 22-yard line.
The Tigers kept the ball on the ground for several short gains before going in the air to wide receiver Nick Nolen for their second touchdown.
After a brief rain delay, Red Level successfully attempted a two-point conversion, with senior Preston Ryce running the ball to make it 14-0.
Despite a rough star, the Eagles weren’t ready to give in, with running back Frank Senn and Cameron Hill exchanging runs to drive the ball to the Tiger red zone. Senn scored a touchdown to cut Red Level’s lead to 14-7 with a successful PAT.
After a sack on fourth down by Pleasant Home’s C.D. Giddens to force a turnover, the Eagles were once again shut out offensively and forced to punt.
The Tigers drove the ball back downfield, and with only five seconds left in the half were able to score their third touchdown on a pass to Nolen to bring the score to 21-7 to effectively end the half.
In the third quarter, Red Level opened the half with a drive down into Eagle territory before being forced to turn the ball over on the 30-yard line.
The Eagles had a major opportunity to close the gap on the Tigers in the following drive when a cut-block penalty on a punt gave PHS the ball back, but an immediate fumble on the next play put the Tigers back on offense.
Pleasant Home stopped Red Level in the red zone to end the third quarter.
After several incomplete passes and a missed field goal, the Eagles regained possession early in the fourth quarters only to fumble a snap in Tiger territory and end the drive.
The two teams battled back and fourth for much of the quarter until the Tigers found themselves in possession of the ball on their own 22.
The Tigers handed the ball off to Raheem Bullock who ran all the way to the end zone to make it 27-7.
The Eagles were able to answer right back however when Hunter Weaver ran back the kickoff for a touchdown to make it 27-14 with 1:53 remaining.
“If nothing else this game gives us something to work with,” said Eagles coach Robert Bradford. “Now we have some tape to watch and something to build on for next week’s opener.”
Both Red Level and Pleasant Home will open their regular seasons next Friday at home, with the Tigers hosting Brantley, and the Eagles hosting Zion Chapel.
