Eagles lose Friday to Geneva County 27-0

Published 1:47 am Saturday, September 13, 2008

Pleasant Home was shut out at home 27-0 by Geneva County Friday night, mustering just 89 total yards of offense in a game that was mired by Eagles penalties and missed opportunities.

The Eagles (1-2, 0-2 in Class 1A, Region 2) jumped offsides six times in the loss, and collected a total of 50 penalty yards. Several of those penalties allowed the visiting Bulldogs (2-1, 2-0) to keep drives alive.

“We’re really young this year and our kids are digging hard and trying to find a way to win,” Pleasant Home coach Robert Bradford said. “A lot of the penalties are just effort, trying to make something happen, but not being mature enough to understand the situation on the field.”

The Eagles kept it close at halftime, trailing just 7-0 and holding in check a Geneva County offense that scored 67 points in its most previous win. But the Bulldogs came out firing in the second half, taking just four plays and 1:35 off the game clock before scoring their second touchdown.

Geneva County added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Bulldog quarterback Rico Reese proved a dual threat, completing 10 of 17 passes for 117 yards and touchdown and also rushing 11 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns.

“He did a great job out there and you’ve got to give him credit,” said Bradford of Reese, who was listed as 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds. “We’ve just got to go back to the drawing board and get better heading into our next game.”

Pleasant Home’s best chance to score came early in the game, when Josh Godwin intercepted Reese on the Eagle 45 and returned it down to the Geneva County 29 just two minutes into the contest. The Eagles advanced the ball and faced a fourth-and-3 from the Geneva County 22, but failed to convert.

Pleasant Home finished the night with 85 yards rushing, led by Tyler Barbaree’s 45 yards on seven carries. C.J. Langley added 30 yards rushing and Frank Senn picked up 12. Ethan King completed one pass during the night, a 4-yard reception by Langley.

Julian Ammons led the Bulldogs with nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Pleasant Home hosts McKenzie next Friday.