Eagles Doubled Up by Bulldogs

McPHERSON, Kan. – Avila football made the uncommon trip to McPherson Stadium this Saturday, where a balanced effort from the Bulldogs (4-1) led the home team to a 42-21 victory over the Eagles (1-4).

The Eagles did plenty of good things despite the final scoreline: Avila played turnover-free football, committed just six penalties, permitted only two sacks, and were close to as efficient on offense as McPherson was (6.9 yards per play to 6.25). But ineffectiveness on third down (Avila was just 1-of-11, McPherson was 7-of-13) and another slow start doomed the Eagles to their fourth straight defeat.

Avila forced McPherson into a three-and-out on its first possession, but the Bulldogs embarked on a 13-play drive ending in seven points the next time they got the ball, starting a string of three straight touchdown drives for the home team.

Sensing blood, McPherson opted for an onside kick and recovered, but a sack by Fernando Garcia and a holding penalty doomed the Bulldogs' next drive, and Avila took full advantage. In just his second game as an Eagle running back, McKenzie Carlock began the next drive with carries of 39 yards and 31 yards, opening the door for an Eli Williams touchdown run on 4^th and 2, getting the Eagles on the board with 19 seconds left in the first half.

The Bulldogs struck first after halftime, but the Eagles responded with a 61-yard strike from Williams to Luis Alvarez for six, set up by a Zamir Jones/Trevon Miller forced fumble. Miller soon struck again, picking off quarterback Tristan Szabo in the end zone to kill another drive.

That takeaway amounted to zero points for the Eagles, however, and McPherson struck twice in the early stages of the fourth quarter to put the score out of reach. Avila grabbed a score back late on a pass from Williams to Jalen Thach, but the damage had been done in a 42-21 Bulldog victory.

Fresh off a big game last week against Ottawa, Szabo threw for another five touchdowns against Avila for McPherson. Brysen Kerby had over 100 yards rushing, while Traven Lewis-Johnson had over 100 yards receiving. Carlock rushed for 104 yards on just eight carries (13 yards per rush) in just his second game in the Avila backfield. Dennis Johnson led all players with 11 tackles, his third straight game with double-digit stops, while Anthony Withrow had eight, including a TFL.

Up next, Avila football returns to The Z to take on KCAC newcomers Evangel in Avila's 2023 Homecoming contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM. Admission is $10 per car, and is free for Avila students and employees. As always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network.