Local Sports

Eagles JV in Super Bowl

Photos

Highlands Today
Published: November 16, 2012

Four teams from the Highlands Youth Football organization played in the NFC Championship game in Haines City on Saturday.

It was a tough day of competitive championship games for the Eagles with all teams facing the Auburndale Bulls.

Coach Steve Remes' No. 3-ranked Flag team took on the top-ranked Auburndale Bulls. It was a very physical game with the Eagles struggling defensively, but the offense produced three scores by Fred Hankerson and John Alexander.

After a defensive battle with key plays by Willie King, Hankerson and Alexander, the Flag team just couldn't hold off the Bulls resulting in a disappointing loss by a final score of 32-18.

Coach Tim Hooks' Pee Wee squad, ranked No. 4, took on No. 2 Auburndale.

The Bulls quickly took control of the game thwarting all the Eagles efforts to get the offense going. The offense led by James Pearson, Christopher Cardoso, Kevin Rivera and Kasey Hawthorne rallied to get a drive going but were stopped by a strong Bulls defense.

The Eagles defense, led by Austin Oppold, Jordan Rose and Devin Brubaker, made key tackles but ultimately costly mistakes and turnovers cost the Eagles a heartbreaking loss by a final score of 27-0.

Coach Cliff Howell's top-ranked Junior Varsity took on the No. 2 Auburndale Bulls.

The Eagles took the field with the offense led by CJ Harris, Akem JnPierre, Jalen Williams, and Rafael Smith. Smith earned key yards for the Eagles but met a strong defensive effort. As the dominant JV Eagles defense took the field, they quickly shut the Bulls offense down as a defensive battle began.

Scoreless with less than a minute before halftime, the Bulls picked off an interception and ran the ball down the sideline to the 25.

The Eagles defense rose to the occasion and stopped the Bulls from scoring.

Late in the scoreless contest, Harris completed a short pass to JnPierre who broke several tackles before breaking loose for a 74-tard touchdown.

With 1:36 left in the game the Eagles defense was superb with DJ Taylor knocking down two passes and Nolan, Smith, JnPierre and Nathan Leonardo stuffing the run to record the hard-fought 6-0 win over the Bulls.

The victory earned the Eagles a berth in Saturday's Super Bowl.

Coach John Bishop's No. 1 Varsity team took on the second seed Auburndale Bulls. The offense worked diligently and was able to earn key yards with quarterback Donte Carpenter running the ball and completing passes to Malik Taylor for big gains.

The Eagles defense led by Allen Williams, Anthony Oppold and EJ JnPierre made some key tackles but struggled to contain the Bulls allowing them to take an early 7-0 lead.

The Eagles quickly responded on a long pass completion to Sammie Smith and Tremaine Hawthorne ran it in for the touchdown, but the extra point was no good to make it 7-6 at the half.

The second half produced more of the same offensive struggle for the Eagles and the Bulls offensive began to take control of the game.

The Bulls knocked off the previously undefeated Eagles by a score of 20-6.

This ended the season for the Flag, Pee Wee and Varsity teams, but the Junior Varsity Eagles team will continue on to the 2012 Super Bowl.

The Eagles organization is very proud of these teams and their accomplishments and wishes to congratulate the coaches on a job well done.

Each team was awarded an NFC Championship ring as an award for making it to the championship round. These rings were impressive and look just like a NFL professional ring.

The Highlands Eagles will be proudly hosting the 2012 Sunshine Police Athletic League (PAL) Super Bowl on Saturday at Firemen's Field.

Admission will be $5 for adults and $4 for children. Parking charges may apply so please be prepared.

Please come out to support your local youth sports program and cheer the JV Eagles team on, it will surely be a great day of championship football games.