Eagles drop hard fought first round playoff game to Lawrence-Nelson
Eagles drop hard fought first round playoff game to Lawrence-Nelson
The Allen Eagles had their season come to an end in Lawrence, Thursday afternoon, dropping a 48-24 decision to the Raiders.
The game was closer than the score indicated, as it took most of the game for the behemoth Raiders to finally wear down the smaller Eagles.
L-N opened the game with a defensive three and out on the Eagles, and then drove for the games’ first score on a Kyle Golay 28 yard run of the left side. Golay was listed on the program at 6’3” and 280 pounds.
Allen took the ensuing kickoff and gained yardage near midfield, but an errant pitch ended the threat, and L-N found a wide open receiver two plays later to push their lead to 12-0, with 1:51 left in the first period.
The Eagles regrouped, with a good kickoff return, answering with a drive that took only 50 seconds, when Anthony Isom scored from 5 yards out. The PAT failed, leaving L-N ahead at the first period break 12-6.
Kobe Kumm intercepted an L-N pass on the opening series of the second period, which set the table for the Eagles second scoring drive. Lukas Oswald dove over from the 1 yard line to knot the score at 12-12 with 9:53 left in the half.
L-N answered the Eagle score to go up 18-12, as the Raiders drove the field in response to the Eagles score, culminating in a 4 yard run by Toby Kotinek.
Allen immediately came back on a 59 second drive to tie the score at 18, when Lukas Oswald found Steven Cooks on a long pass, and then Oswald finished the drive by diving over again from one yard out.
The Raiders methodically worked the field, but a goal line stand on the last play of the half left both teams tied at the intermission.
L-N took the opening drive of the second half down the field on the ground, chewing up half of the third period before a Blake Janda to Trevor Biltoft pass of 19 yards on a fourth and fifteen in the Eagle red zone. The lead again went to the Raiders at 24-18. The score definitely had a huge impact on the momentum for both teams.
The Eagles were stopped on the ensuing drive that gave the Raiders possession near mid field. It was only moments later when the Raiders cracked the defensive front, as Janda scampered 33 yards to put the Raiders up 32-18. It appeared if the size of L-N had finally taken over.
Both teams exchanged possessions before entering the fourth period. The Eagles on their first possession of the period struck from long distance, as Kobe Kumm broke loose on a 70 yard run to pull the Eagles within 8 at 32-24, with 10:39 left in the game.
L-N took the following possession on started working down the clock and shortened the game, by running the ball with solid 4 and 5 yard runs, leaving the Eagles in a position of having to break responsibilities to gaps, and chasing the football. L-N scored with 6:22 left on a Kotinek 10 yard run to extend their lead to 40-24 with 6:22 left.
Allen responded by driving into L-N territory, but a Raider interception thwarted the effort, and allowed the Raiders to go back to the ground, bleeding the clock, and putting the game out of reach at the 3:07 mark on a Keith Miller run of 25 yards.
In the end, the Raiders size took its’ toll on the smaller, but quicker Eagles. It surely was not due to the lack of effort.
The Eagles end the season with a 6-3 record. Six seniors on the roster ended their careers. Austin Gregerson, Noah Carr, Josh Grone, Brogan Jones, Steven Cooks and Lukas Oswald.
COACHES COMMENTS:
“The team played at a high level today. L-N definitely had a huge size advantage, but we hung in there. Our slow start offensively again, made us play from behind much of the first half. We regrouped and got the game back in a good position at halftime. The kids just ran out of gas in the attempt to get over the hump. The team played a high level after the first period, and they didn’t quit and played for one another. It was difficult to watch the clock wind down on these young men, especially our seniors, as we had a tremendously successful season. They (seniors) deserve credit for doing things the right way, and leaving our program in very good shape. Our younger players have a good blue print of success to follow next season. The team and coaches were extremely grateful to parents and supporters this season. We have a great core group of followers and supporters.”