Published: October 18, 2008 09:49 am         

Miscues doom Eagles against Panthers in 15-2A

MAYPEARL — The Maypearl Panthers ran their record to 5-2, 1-1 in District 15-2A on Friday night as they knocked off the Rio Vista Eagles, 30-6, at W.G. Roessler Stadium.

The Eagles fell to 4-3 overall and 1-1.

The home team forced the Eagles into four turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble by Ethan Stepp and also blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety.

The Panthers also had a 49-yard touchdown nullified by an illegal block penalty.

Maypearl quarterback Matt Leal led the Panther ground attack with 115 yards on 15 carries, including a 35-yard run that led to the first score and a 49-yard dash that set up the final Maypearl touchdown.

The teams traded punts early on as both offenses struggled to move the ball.

The Panthers were finally able to draw first blood late in the first stanza as Leal ran the ball twice for 49 yards to put the Panthers inside the Rio Vista 5 yard line.

Taylor Beck punched the ball in from the 4 to give Maypearl the first score of the game.

The Eagles could barely muster anything on offense against Maypearl’s defense, which allowed 186 total yards and eight first downs.

The Eagles trailed 14-0 at the half, but Rio Vista kick returner Emory Horn failed to field the second half kickoff cleanly and Maypearl recovered the ball at the Rio Vista 16.

Four plays later, Speer Lackey took it in from the two and the lead suddenly ballooned to 21-0.

After another Eagle punt, Leal took a keeper 49 yards to the Rio Vista one and backup quarterback Connor Vaughan took it in from the 1 as Leal left the game with an apparent leg injury.

Maypearl then forced another three and out, but Jacob Spain’s punt was blocked through the back of the end zone for a safety to push the score to 30-0.

The Eagles finally got on the board in the final quarter as Spain scored on a 31-yard touchdown run to round out the scoring.

Rio Vista hosts Godley on Friday night at Eagle Field.

     

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