A hard fought region game was decided in an exciting fashion last Friday in Stillmore. With the game tied at six, DEA’s Seth Durden made a leaping catch of a Chet Ellison pass in traffic, in the end zone, with just 31 seconds left in the game. The ensuing two point conversion run by Blake Patterson made it 14-6 and The Eagles held on for the victory over the scrappy Covenant Academy Rams.
The win improved the Eagles region record to 3-2 and their overall mark to 4-4. Currently DEA is in fourth place in the region standings and would qualify for the playoffs should they maintain that position. DEA could climb as high as second depending on the outcome of the games remaining in the final two weeks of the regular season.
The Ellison to Durden 33 yard pass was an aerial lofted straight down the middle of the field. Durden jumped between three defenders and caught the ball just beyond the goal line to give the Eagles the lead for the first time in the game. The win was the third straight for the Eagles marking the first time since 2002 that a DEA football team has accomplished that feat.
“That was a barn burner” said Coach Jimmy Barnett about the final regular season home game of the 2010 season. “Covenant played us tough and they deserve credit for that. But we know we are going to have to play much better this week.”
This Friday the Eagles will travel to Warrenton to take on Briarwood, 5-0 in the region and 5-3 overall, who is coming off a big 19-14 win over Thomas Jefferson. Coincidently Briarwood is also where Barnett last coached prior to taking the DEA job.
“We know this is going to be a big game for a lot of reasons” said Barnett. “The stakes are high and we expect a big crowd to be on hand. We have to do a better job of getting ready this week.”
Covenant came in at 1-3 in the region and 2-6 overall with playoff hopes still alive. They played like a team fighting for their playoff lives all night and lead the game 6-0 at halftime. Their touchdown was a tipped 15 yard pass from Reece Freel that was caught by Andretti Lloyd at the goal line with 10:25 left in the second quarter.
DEA came out with a methodical 6:45 second drive to open the second half. Blake Patterson capped it with a nine yard run around left end to tie the game with 5:15 left in the third quarter.
Each team had their chances but turnovers and loss of downs prevented drives by the respective teams from resulting in points. The final score was set up after covenant was forced to punt from deep in their own territory.
It was another good defensive effort by the Eagles against the spread offense of Covenant. The Rams never got under center and probably ran more different plays than anyone has versus DEA this year. Up front the D-line of Houston Harris, Cody Burnett, Mason Russell, Ridge Holland and Carson Cross pressured the quarterback and helped shut down the run. Notable defense was also played by Logan Hall and Justin Nasworthy from the linebacker spots and Blake Patterson and Jacob Wheeler in the secondary. Chet Ellison and Seth Durden each had interceptions for the Eagles.
The game was also the final regular season home game for seniors Hayward Johnson, Cody Burnett, Nick Reynolds, Ridge Holland, Logan Hall, Jacob Wheeler and Houston Harris.
Following this week’s game at Briarwood, the Eagles will conclude the 2010 regular season at Curtis Baptist. DEA will need a victory in one of the two remaining games to secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2005.
Eagles win thriller over Rams
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