The shields of the Warriors of Sparta proved little match an overpowered Fort Dale offense as the Eagles outmaneuvered Sparta Academy 34-18.

Despite some injuries in key Fort Dale positions, including Zack Winters and Sullivan Harold who were absent from Friday night with injuries, the Eagles offense proved unstoppable in the first half.

FDA quarterback Luke Taylor exposed the Warriors’ secondary early in the first, finding Ben Folds on a 54-yard touchdown pass for a touchdown. 

An extra point from Michael LeCoq made the Fort Dale advantage 7-0.

Taylor struck again, this time to Jason Little, eight minutes later on a 36-yard touchdown pass to secure a 14-0 FDA lead.

Folds ended the first quarter with an exclamation point by intercepting a Sparta pass and taking it to the Eagles’ 47-yard line.

The pick set up Luke for a 46-yard touchdown run and a 21-0 lead.

A fourth Eagle would strike just three minutes later as running back Cade Mansmann surged 10 yards up field for a rushing touchdown.

Second-string quarterback Baron Brack connected on a short 3-yard pass to William Luke Hendrick for the Eagles’ fifth touchdown of the half.

FDA head football coach James “Speed” Sampley said that the comfortable halftime lead proved a good opportunity for his bench to get some valuable experience.

“We outmanned Sparta tonight,” Sampley said. 

“Our younger guys played the majority of the game.  With 15 seniors, it’s good to give them that experience.  We’ve got to get past some injuries as we head into a tough 3-game stretch.”

The three-game stretch begins with Lee-Scott Academy, a team the Eagles prevailed over by just 5 points in 2016.

The Eagles’ players are also already looking toward the difficult road ahead.

“We had a good win tonight,” said Jason Little.  “But we have three big upcoming games that we’ve got to win.”