VILONIA — Vilonia broke a four-game losing streak as the Eagles downed Harrison 35-7 in 5A-West action Friday night at Phillip D. Weaver Stadium.
Vilonia (3-6, 2-4 5AWest) struck quickly with its special teams. After forcing the Goblins to go three-and-out on the opening possession of the game, Jake Kirk rushed straight up the middle, blocking a Harrison punt and giving the Eagles a short field at the Goblins 27.
Two plays later, Michael Atkinson scored on an 11-yard run to make it 7-0 after James Gardner tacked on the extra point with 10:30 to play in the opening quarter.
The teams traded possessions before Gardner’s 57-yard punt pinned Harrison deep. Two plays later, Harrison (1-8, 0-6) turned over the ball after a 22-yard pass play to set the Eagles up again in favorable field position.
Nine plays later, Kyle Wyatt scored a 1-yard quarterback sneak to put Vilonia up 14-0 with 2:25 left in the opening quarter.
After another three-and-out by the Goblins, Houston Cotton gave Vilonia a 21-0 in lead with 10-yard run with 11:42 left in the half.
“I am proud of these kids,” Vilonia Coach Jim Stanley said. “They needed this win. They play their hearts out every week and just haven’t been able to get any breaks, but they had a good week in practice and I’m just so happy they were able to come out and get this win.”
James Sax paced the Eagles on the ground, rushing for 130 yards on 17 carries, including a 3-yard run with 33 seconds left in the first half to make 28-0.
The Eagles went up 35-0 on their first possession of the second half as Wyatt capped off a six-play, 58-yard drive with his second 1-yard run of the night.
Tate Stokes led Harrison with 90 yards on eight carries, and the Goblins added a late touchdown on a 3-yard run by Michael Evert.
Sports, Pages 29 on 10/29/2011