Patriots ground Eagles

The Upton-Sundance Patriots were under the lights at Croell Field Friday night as the Tongue River Eagles soared into town. The game appeared as though it was going to fly by as the Eagles kept the ball on the ground and worked their way down the field yard by yard.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, a turnover on downs at the 10-yard line gave the Patriot offense the ball and the length of the field to go. The clock continued to click as the Patriot offense took over and pushed their way down the field yard by yard. Much like the Eagles, the Patriot’s first drive ended as the clock ran out and a turnover on downs. 

The second quarter brought a little more action onto the field as the Eagles fumbled the ball and the Patriot defense was able to regain possession. As the Patriot offense made gains, an unfortunate penalty recalled a touchdown pass and forced the Patriots to punt the ball away.

Lane Gill, however, was not going to let the Eagles have good field position, as he punted it down to the 6-yard line, forcing the Eagle offense to work for every yard on their next possession. While the Eagles tried to make gains, the Patriot defense continued to shut them down.

With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, the Eagles once again fumbled the ball and the Patriot defense came up with the ball on the 26-yard line and the Patriot offense took over. Looking to fool the Tongue River defense, the Patriots ran a misdirection play and Brad Kruger was able to find Brayden Bruce down the field for a touchdown pass, putting the Patriots on the scoreboard 6-0, as the final minutes ran down.

The second half of play found the Patriots back in the swing of things as the opening drive brought the offense down the field and into the endzone to add another six to the board, increasing their score 12-0 over the Eagles. The Tongue River offense continued to struggle, gaining very little and being forced to punt the ball away.

Starting their second drive of the quarter from the 50-yard line, the Patriot offense was able to move their way down the field rather quickly. Within scoring distance and 4:15 left in the quarter, Jess Claycomb found the opening and ran the ball in from eight yards out for another Patriot touchdown, increasing the score 18-0.

With the third quarter winding down, the Tongue River offense continued to struggle. Another fumble by the Eagle offense was recovered by the Patriots and Upton-Sundance was in control as the fourth quarter began.

Making small gains down the field, the Patriots were unable to capitalize to start the fourth quarter and turned the ball over on downs. Fortunately for the Patriots, the Eagle offense was at a loss as to how to hold onto the ball and another fumble was recovered by the Patriots, setting them up in great field position.

Taking advantage of this excellent field position, Brad Kruger was able to find Brayden Bruce in the endzone for a 5-yard touchdown reception. Looking to switch things up a bit, the Patriots decided to go for two as Levi Rudloff made his way into the endzone, helping to increase the Patriot score to 26.

The Eagles, however, were not going to be held scoreless. Finally, able to hold on to the ball, Tongue River began to work their way down the field.

A penalty on the Patriots increased their yardage, and with 5:17 remaining in the game, Eli Cummins was able to find Greg Bold in the endzone for an Eagle touchdown. A successful extra point would add one more to their score, making the final score of the game Patriots 26, Eagles 7. 

The Patriots will face the Burns Broncs on Friday in Burns.

Offensive Summary

Rushing

Jess Claycomb = 15 carries for 116 yards and 1 TD

Levi Rudloff = 8 for 45 yards

Reece Barritt = 10 for 34 yards

Passing

Brad Krueger = 13/20 for 148 yards, 3 TDs.

Receiving

Jess Claycomb = 4 receptions for 38 yards

Brayden Bruce = 3 for 34 yards, 2 TDs

Levi Rudloff = 2 for 29 yards

Reece Barritt = 2 for 23 yards, 1 TD

Ethan Mills = 2 for 24 yards

Defensive Points (Top 5)

Brayden Bruce = 23 points - 6 Assisted Tackles, 7 Unassisted, 1 Tackle for Loss

Nathan Baker = 19 points - 5 AT, 3 UT, 1 TFL, 1 Fumble Recovery

Jeral Nehl = 15 points - 3 AT, 1 UT, 2 Fumble Recoveries

Jess Claycomb = 10 points - 1 AT, 3 UT, 1 TFL

Ethan Mills = 9 points - 2 AT, 1 UT, 1 Fumble Recovery