Eagles host Fort Bragg this Friday
The varsity football Eagles took their lumps in week four of the fall campaign, suffering a 33-0 shellacking at the hands of home-standing St. Helena on Sept. 16.
The setback came on the heels of the Eagles’ first win a week earlier, and served as a reality check of sorts for Cloverdale as they brace for the next challenge.
The Eagles (1-3, 1-1) return home to host defending NCL-1 champion Fort Bragg this Friday, Sept. 23 in a clash at Allen Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff times for the JV and varsity are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Saints’ ground
attack keys win
St. Helena, still stinging from a Sept. 9 loss to Kelseyville, was not in a hospitable mood when it took the field in its home opener on Friday against the visiting Cloverdale Eagles.
The Saints went back to basics, leaning on a bruising rushing attack that would effectively control the line of scrimmage and scoreboard in churning up 322 yards on the ground.
Cloverdale had no answer for St. Helena running back Niko Lopez, who finished up a career game with 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
The Saints served notice on the opening kickoff, returning it to the Eagle’s 47-yard line. St. Helena scored three plays later on a 2-yard touchdown plunge for a 7-0 lead. Following an Eagles punt, the Saints mounted a six-play, 68-yard march culminating in another 2-yard touchdown dive.
St. Helena added another score in the first quarter and stopped the Eagles on a critical goal-line stand just before the half to grab a 20-0 lead at the break.
The Eagles continued to struggle against the Saints’ defensive unit in the third period, giving up good field position leading to a pair of second half St. Helena touchdowns. The Saints capped the scoring with a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter in cruising to a 33-0 win.
There were no stats available for the Eagles.
JV gets win
The Cloverdale JV squad, which played St. Vincent to a scoreless tie last week, was back in the win column on Friday at St. Helena, notching a 14-0 win.
