Off a strong running performance by Blake Mullins, the Fort Dale Academy Eagles got revenge and became playoff eligible Friday night by downing the Morgan Academy Senators, 41-12.

The Senators, who knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs last season and also beat them during the regular season, have had a tough year dealing with numerous injuries and Fort Dale head coach James &#8220Speed” Sampley said they deserve a lot of credit.

&#8220Morgan is kind of a friendly rivalry because it seems we play them twice in almost every sport,” Sampley said. &#8220But Coach Gartman and those kids have done a great job dealing with all their injury problems.”

Although the Fort Dale coach was quick to praise his opponent, he also had a lot to say about his team.

&#8220With that said, this was a really big win for us,” Sampley said.

The win Friday night secured the Eagles a spot in the AISA playoffs and, if the Eagles can win next Friday, they will host either Glenwood or Edgewood, both of whom the Eagles have already beaten this season.

The Eagles opened up the game with a touchdown drive capped by a seven-yard run by Mika Jones.

After holding Morgan to three and out, the Eagles once again scored with Barry Boan capping the drive with a five-yard run.

Morgan answered with a 14-yard touchdown run by Heath Harrelson but the point after failed, making the score 16-6.

After a 12-yard punt by Fort Dale, the Senators drove the length of the field but the drive stalled when Ty Newton picked off a pass at the Eagles six-yard line.

The Eagles drove the length of the field and Blake Mullins took it in from one yard out to put the Eagles up 22-6.

After holding the Morgan offense, Mullins broke a 55-yard run for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 28-6, but the Senators quickly answered when Kyle Hulsey returned the kickoff 80 yards for the touchdown.

The Senators got the ball back before the half on a Pitt Hughes interception, but two failed field goal attempts as the half ended left the score 28-12.

After trading punts to start the second half, the Eagles got back on track when Barry Boan picked up a Morgan fumble in the red zone.

Mullins tapped in another touchdown for Fort Dale from the six-yard line and Kendall Gibson added the extra point to make the score 35-12.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Eagles held the Senators on four downs at the goal line and then Mullins raced 92 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game, closing out the scoring at 41-12.

For the Fort Dale offense, Mullins had 11 carries for 183 yards and four touchdowns while Mika Jones had 16 carries for 91 yards and one touchdown.

Quarterback Ty Newton was 4-of-8 through the air for 103 yards and receiver Dalton Gregory had three catches for 73 yards.

Morgan finished the game with 139 yards rushing and 16 yards passing.

For the Fort Dale defense, Barry Boan had 10 tackles and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown that was called back, while Cory Causey had seven tackles. Ty Newton had an interception, giving him eight on the season.

The Eagles return to action Friday night as they travel to take on Cottage Hill. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.