By By Adam Robinson – Sports Editor
Things did not get off to a good start for the W.S. Neal Eagles Friday night at home against UMS-Wright and they didnt't end well either. The Eagles fell to the Bulldogs 35-13 at home.
The loss dropped the Eagles to 2-5 overall and 0-5 in region play, while UMS-Wright improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the class 4A region 1 standings.
On the first play from scrimmage for the UMS-Wright Bulldogs, they used one play as Brandon Lee raced 65-yards down his own sideline to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead just 35 seconds into the game.
That one play from scrimmage was all but 134 yards for Lee as the Bulldogs racked up 21 first downs and 284 yards on the ground to hold a 14-0 first quarter and halftime lead and then scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Eagles.
W.S. Neal Eagle head football coach Blaine Hathcock said the early score from the Bulldogs, the non-ability to stop UMS-Wright on the ground and the lack to capitalize on offense helped lead to his team's defeat.
The Eagles held UMS-Wright scoreless in the second quarter and to only seven points in the third. But after cutting the lead to 21-7 with 44 seconds left in the third quarter, UMS put the game out of reach with two fourth quarter touchdowns.
The Eagles, who were held to just 30 yards rushing last week to Hillcrest, picked up 119 yards on the ground this week and 126 yards through the air. But as it has been all season, it was the Eagle defense that was on the field most of the night and Hathcock said his team needs to get better at getting the defense off the field.
After picking up two first downs on their first offensive possession and moving the ball to the 50-yard line, the Eagle offense was sacked for a 5-yard loss on third down and was forced to punt.
After the Eagle punt, UMS needed only eight plays to set up a 4-yard run from Alex Gilmore to go up 14-0 over the Eagles with 3:57 left in the first quarter.
On the Eagles' next possession, the Eagles were forced to punt, but a roughing the kicker call on the Bulldogs gave the ball back to the Eagles, who moved it to the Bulldog 26-yard line to set up a fourth-and-four.
An incomplete pass turned the ball over on downs to the Bulldogs.
After the turnover on downs, Nate Sheffield laid a hard lick on a Bulldog runner to force a fumble as the Eagles took over at their own 48-yard line.
From there, W.S. Neal drove to the 38-yard line but was flagged for holding and was forced to punt again.
On the Bulldogs' next possession, Derrick Fantroy came up with another Bulldog fumble, but the Eagles went four-and-out and was forced to fumble and trailed at the half 14-0.
In the second half after a quick punt for the Eagles, UMS needed only six plays to go up 21-0 with 7:38 left in the game after a 17-yard run from Thomas Jackson.
After the score from the Bulldogs, the Eagle passing game came to life as they used 12 plays to go 69 yards to set up a 1-yard from quarterback Taylor Cash with 44 seconds to go to cut the lead to 21-7 after the Shell PAT.
Of the 12 plays, five of them were pass plays that resulted in 56 yards. The Eagles were aided by three Bulldog penalties on the drive.
But after the score for the Eagles, UMS used nine plays to set up a 6-yard pass from Bulldog quarterback Bragg Foshee to William Reaves to go up 28-7 with 9:19 left in the game.
After the Bulldogs' score and another Eagle punt, Anthony Williamson added the final score of the night for UMS with 5:49 left in the game to go ahead 35-7.
The Eagles answered with a 10-play drive and benefited from a one-handed Jeremy Nicholson 17-yard pass reception in the end zone to cut the lead to 35-13 with 2:35 left in the game, but UMS was able to hang on a take the 22-point win 35-13.
W.S. Neal will travel to Jackson next week and take on the 5-2 overall and 4-1 in region play Aggies.
Jackson lost their first region game of the season Friday night to B.C. Rain 28-26.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Jackson's Legion Field.