Fort Dale jumped out to a commanding early lead, easily handling Lyman Ward Military Academy on the road Friday night, 49-38.

The Eagles, ranked No. 8 entering Friday’s game, led 42-14 at the half following three touchdown passes by quarterback Chip Taylor. The sophomore signal caller also hit pay dirt on a 46-yard run.

Senior running back Perry Singleton opened the scoring for Fort Dale (2-1) with a 6-yard touchdown run with 8:16 remaining in the first quarter. Just more than a minute later, Cody Tesmer found his way into the endzone from four yards out.

The Rangers (0-3) answered with an 85-yard kickoff return by DeWayne Pritchett. The Lyman Ward back, whose playmaking ability has drawn college interest, also returned a kickoff for an 80-yard score in the second quarter.

Taylor finished the night 14-of-17 with 148 yards passing. His touchdown tosses included a 2-yard connection with Tesmer, a 4-yarder to Ryan Salter and 27-yard strike to Caleb Luckie.

Taylor also led the Eagles on the ground with 67 yards rushing. Tesmer picked up 61 yards on 9 carries and Singleton added 58 yards on six carries for Fort Dale.

Junior running back Matthew Bender scored the Eagles’ only second-half touchdown on a six-yard run late in the third quarter.

“It was a good night for everybody,” said Fort Dale coach James “Speed” Sampley. “We got ahead and were able to play some of our younger kids that needed some work. I was pleased.”

Luke Hamm led the way defensively with eight tackles. Sophomore James Burkett added seven stops, with Joseph Reaves and Deaton Owens each adding five tackles for Fort Dale.

Kicker Patrick Russell converted all seven extra point attempts in the victory.

Fort Dale gets a break from region play when it travels to Hooper Academy next Friday night. The Eagles then face three tough region foes in Macon-East, Monroe and Pike Liberal Arts.