Eagles Soar to 50-0 Win Over the Bears

The remnants of Hurricane Helene blew through Palenske Field Friday night bringing the wind and rain, but it was the Liberty Eagles who brought the gale force.  The Eagles were hot off last week’s win over Ava, elevating them to the #10 spot in Class 2 rankings, and also knocking the Ava Bears out of their #5 position.  The Willow Springs Bears were attempting to rebound from a tough loss at Mountain Grove.

 

Both teams started out sluggish on offense, trading good field position back and forth as the ball changed hands on fumbles, punts, and turnovers on downs. The Bear defense stepped in with a big sack by Dane Flynn, pass deflections by John Baugh and Logan Bryan, and key stops by Gavin Glenn.  The Bears were also helped out by some Eagle penalties, giving them opportunities to get points on the board but couldn’t make it happen.  Late in the first quarter, the Eagles found their footing. Running back Jaren Rutledge took the ball in from 18 yards to put Liberty on the board 6-0. 

 

The second quarter turned into The Jaren Rutledge Show as he scored three more touchdowns, having his way with the Bear defense and making the halftime score, 28-0.  Rutledge ended the game with a total of 144 yards rushing.

 

The Bears had trouble getting their offensive motor running. Kayden Woolsey was able to break loose for some yardage, but it was tough for the quarterback combo of Caden Lee and Jace Rodgers to find their rhythm with Robert Thall and the rest of the MV-BT D-line pressing down.  In the third quarter, Liberty tacked on two more touchdowns, one on a juking scamper by Jasper Melby and one on a 54-yard bomb from Gavin Reese to Parker Tune.  44-0, Liberty. The Eagles were in the groove having their way with a tired Bears defense who had spent a lot of minutes on the field.  Liberty tacked on a final touchdown taken in by Eddie Rodriguez, who was also on the receiving end of a couple of two-point conversion passes in the game.  The Bears fought through with persistence, approaching the game as a learning experience and an opportunity to improve.  Liberty finished the game with a perfectly balanced offensive attack, 205 yards passing and 205 yards rushing.  Final score 50-0, Eagles.

 

Both teams will play at home on Friday night, the Eagles hosting Mtn. Grove, and Willow Springs taking on the Salem Tigers for homecoming.