Fort Dale topples No. 8 Clarke Prep Gators, 22-20

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 17, 2006

A week after suffering both the first loss of the season and first region loss, the Fort Dale Eagles got back on track Friday with a 22-20 win at region foe Clarke Prep.

The Gators got on the board first with a five-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and, following the successful two-point conversion, Clarke Prep held an 8-0 lead.

To close out the first half, the Eagles answered the Gators' score with a nine-play, 69-yard drive that culminated with Ty Newton delivering a 20-yard pass to a diving Adam Vickery for the Fort Dale score on the last play of the half. Following the two-point run by Newton, the Eagles went into halftime tied at 8-8.

Mika Jones got into the scoring action in the third quarter with a one-yard run, but the two-point conversion was no good, giving the Eagles a 14-8 lead.

Clarke Prep answered the Eagles' score with a 24-yard touchdown run on fourth down to close out the third quarter. The Gators' two-point conversion also failed, tying the game at 14-14.

Jones once again got into the end zone halfway through the fourth quarter and after scoring the two-point conversion, the Eagles held a 22-14 lead.

The Gators added another score on an 18-yard run but after the two-point try failed, the Eagles had secured victory.

For the Eagle offense, Blake Mullins had 12 carries for 98 yards while quarterback Newton finished 10-of-15 for 133 yards. Vickey had two catches for 54 yards and one touchdown and Davis Watts had four catches for 51 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Mullins had 11 tackles and Barry Boand had nine while Jones pulled down yet another interception. Bobby Martin and Cory Johnson each had a sack.

The Eagles return to home Friday night to take on Monroe. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.