Eagle defense powers 19-6 WCC victory over Monrovia

Saturday, October 6, 2007

MONROVIA --A South Putnam defense that neutralized Monrovia's running attack led the way, as the Eagles moved to 3-5 with a 19-6 win over the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs tallied just 98 yards in total offense, 52 of which came on a late pass play. Coach Troy Burgess was obviously pleased with the defense.

"Defensively we played very well tonight," Burgess said. "If you take that 52-yarder out of there, we basically held them to 46 yards of total offense."

Rushing the ball, which Monrovia can do well at times, the Eagles held them to 38 yards. Burgess had much praise for his two defensive ends, Hunter Edwards and Trent Knight, and his four-man defensive tackle rotation of Ben Parker, Adam Masters, Jacob Wise and Josh Gray.

"Those six guys did a great job up front tonight," Burgess said. "They did a great job of getting in the backfield to hold them to 38 yards of rushing."

The Bulldogs use 300-pound fullback Dylan Stone to wear defenses down. The line handled him well, though.

"If you let him get going, he's a big kid and tough to handle," Burgess said. "Our kids just did a great job up front with him."

The Bulldogs use 300-pound fullback Dylan Stone to wear defenses down. The line handled him well, though.

"If you let him get going, he's a big kid and tough to handle," Burgess said. "Our kids just did a great job up front with him."

The linebackers also earned the coach's praise.

"Brad Bunten, Derek Tomaw and Conor Frame, our three linebackers, just did a great job," Burgess said.

Two interceptions -- one from Bunten and another from Dayne Nelson -- gave the Eagles some big plays.

"Brad's came right before the half. We had just kicked a field goal to go up 10-0. There was about a minute to go in the half, and we were able to get Jake Gould that 37-yarder right before the half," Burgess said. "That was just a big momentum boost there."

Gould's 37-yard field goal, one of two on the night, either set or tied a school record.

The coach also had praise for his offensive line. The Eagles had 151 yards rushing and 120 yards rushing, which Burgess credited to his linemen.

"We got on our offensive line after last week, and I thought they stepped up and played well tonight," Burgess said. "Our pass protection was great. Anytime you can be that balanced, that all starts up front with your offensive line. When they can give us that kind of protection and can run block, that makes us a lot tougher team to handle."

The Eagles host Cascade at 7 p.m. next Friday.

At Monvrovia

South Putnam 0 13 6 0 -- 19

Monrovia 0 0 0 6 -- 6

2nd Quarter

SP -- Sanders 60 pass from Edwards (Gould kick good)

SP -- Gould 26 FG

SP -- Gould 37 FG

3rd Quarter

SP -- Parker 11 pass from Edwards (kick failed)

4th Quarter

M -- 2-yard run (run failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATS

(SP leaders)

Rushing -- (42 carries, 151 yards) -- Parrish 16-63, Tomaw 7-62

Passing -- Edwards 7-14-2-1, 120 yards

Receiving -- Sanders 3-82

Next game -- The Eagles close the regular season when they host Cascade at 7 p.m. next Friday.

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