Eagles soar to victory - first for semi-pro team
By Dennis Horne Sports Writer

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel photo Above, Jermel Sudderth (#5) carries the ball for the Eagles. Right, Coach Ronny Townsend and players watch the action.

The Cherokee County Eagles came to Andrews to play their third home game Sunday afternoon against the Columbia,S.C. Bulldogs.

The Eagles won the toss and elected to kick. During both team's first possesions they went three and out. When the Eagles got the ball back after a turnover on downs they fumbled deep in the Bulldogs' territory. Columbia scored with six minutes left in the first quarter, but the Eagles made a stand at the goal line to deny the two-point conversion attempt.

The Bulldogs kicked off and on the return the Eagles were charged with a holding penalty, followed by several more penalties. On third and 10 quarterback Billy Patterson fired a first down pass to tight end Brad Muse. Three downs later the Eagles caught a break that put them all the way to the 40-yard-line and the first quarter ended.

The second quarter started with the Eagles keeping the ball on the ground driving closer to the end zone, but they were stopped on a fourth and one "go-for-it" play. Cherokee County's defensive back Steve Coleman, along with a host of Eagles, stuffed the run by the Bulldogs and forced a turnover by Columbia. This match was proving to be, by far, a defensive ball game and the halftime horn sounded.

When head Coach Ronny Townsend brought his warriors back out for the second half, they surely recieved a pep talk in the locker room. The Eagles offense came alive with a great job blocking and well designed pass plays to get them down field in a hurry. Cherokee County's receiver Jesse Puccio pulled one in to give the Eagles great field position. The Eagles gained yard after yard on the ground when receiver Will Hampton caught a 25-yard T.D. pass to tie it up 6 to 6. The Eagles botched the two-point conversion. The ball changed hands back and forth until the third quarter ran out.

The fourth quarter began with the Columbia Bulldogs throwing an interception, which was picked off by the Eagles' Jermel Sudderth, who took the ball all the way back to the one-yard-line, and Patterson walked it in on the ensuing play. Cherokee County went ahead and the score was 12-6. The Eagles offensive line formed a brick wall to help running back Jermel Sudderth pick up more yards on the ground that led to a late fourth quarter field goal and Cherokee County led 15-6. The Eagles defense stayed tough and regained possesion with the clock winding down. The Eagles went on to win 15-6.

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel photo Tight end Brad Muse (#80) gains yardage on a pass reception.

A record crowd in Andrews, 300 plus fans, showed up to support their local semi-pro Eagles. The Eagles travel to Columbia next week (Sept.15) to play this team on their turf.

The Eagles' record is 2- 2, including a forfeit win. The next home games for the Eagles are September 15 and September 22.

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel photo An Eagle makes a stop. DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel photo Eagles players Randy Wachacha (#34) and Cory Stalcup (#84) make a stop in the Eagles' first victory.