Eagles score quick, often over Sparta
Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 28, 2004
David Moore couldn't have finished for a more perfect season opener than last night's 41-6 win over Sparta Academy.
The senior quarterback in the first game of his first starting year threw five completions in five attempts with four of them touchdowns. He racked up 100 yards in the air and all before the start of the second quarter.
"We had a good game," Moore said. "I just took it one play at a time and tried to have fun. We we're really good at executing our running plays and moving the ball. We're going to have to practice real hard though for next week's game against Bessemer."
Coach James Sampley took Moore out of the game after the first quarter and put in some of the younger players.
"It was a good game," Sampley said. "David had a good night. We've worked a lot on our passing and we've come a long way. Even the offensive line did real well. It all starts there. They block for David and give him the time to find his man."
"Everyone got to play tonight," he said. "I've got 48 ninth, 10th and 11th graders and they all got a chance to get some experience. We just really need some more playing time. Sure we have 20 seniors but last year we had 17 and these guys didn't get a lot of playing time then."
The Eagles racked up 419 total yards Friday night with 166 in the air.
"We tackled extremely well," Sampley said. "We still need to work on our penalties and special teams though."
Moore opened the game with a scoring drive by completing a 30-yard pass to Taylor Hawsey with 9:21 left in the first. Eric Hicks completed the extra-point to give the Eagles 7.
As the defense held, the Eagles took over again and drove down to the Sparta 14-yard-line when David Moore completed a pass to his twin brother, Adam Moore, for the touchdown. Hick's kick was good to give FDA a14-0 lead. The defense proved stalwart again and the Eagles took over after the punt.
Driving, Moore hit Carson Mosley from 34 yards out to give the Eagles the third score with 3:19 left in the first.
The kickoff pinned Sparta deep and the defense didn't let up forcing the Warriors to play out of their own end zone. The Eagles were able to capitalize when a wild snap led to an FDA safety and they were on top 23-0.
Moore's last TD of the night came on a four-yard pass to Mason Bass as the first quarter ended. The PAT failed but the Eagles were up 29-0.
Peter McGowin got the next score for the Eagles with a 1-yard run for six at the end of the second quarter. The PAT was blocked to put FDA up 35-0.
The Eagles received the ball for the second half and drove all the way. Mika Jones capped the drive with a four-yard run to give the Eagles 41-0.
Sparta's Tony Raines was able to run past the Eagle's defense in the fourth quarter to put the only points on the board for the Warriors. The two-point conversion was stuffed short and the game ended 41-6.
Backup quarterback Bruce Hollyfield completed one of three for 32 yards. That pass was caught by Edward Poole. Ty Newton completed his only pass of the night for 29 yards to Tyler Lowe.
Tim James carried the ball four times for 64 yards followed by Mika Jones who had seven carries for 40 yards. Taylor Hawsey added 33 yards in four carries.
Corey Johnson led the defense with 16 tackles and one interception.
And Brady Newton had the only fumble recovery.
"We're going to be practicing hard for Bessemer next week," Sampley said. "That is a team that's been picked the top team in the state."
The Eagles will travel to Bessemer next Friday.