Avila Takes Down Tabor for First Bissell Division Victory

HILLSBORO, Kan. – Avila looked solid in all phases of the game, and the Eagles finished strong where it counted: Avila (2-6, 1-1 Bissell) outscored Tabor 14-0 in the fourth quarter, leading Avila to a 35-17 win over Tabor on Saturday afternoon in Hillsboro.

The victory was the Eagles' first since week one, snapping a six-game skid. It was also Avila's first victory in the KCAC's new divisional format – after the Eagles fell last week to Kansas Wesleyan, Avila is now 1-1 in Bissell Division competition this season, in a division that looks likely to be very competitive for the rest of the 2023 season.

Avila never trailed in this game, and outplayed Tabor in all phases: the Eagles outgained the Bluejays by 80 yards, and averaged a full extra yard per play on offense; Avila did not turn the ball over once, and the Eagles forced two takeaways on defense, interceptions from veteran DBs Trevon Miller and Terrell Valentine; and Avila's special teams was improved, featuring resurgent performances from Luis Alvarez, Dylan Globe and Jackson Nelms.

All that combined to lead the Eagles to a slump-busting road victory, setting the tone for the final three weeks of the regular season. After neither team scored in the first quarter, Avila was the first to score in the second on a nine-yard pass from Eli Williams to AJ Carreon. Tabor tied it up on the ensuing drive, but the Eagles scored in the final two minutes of the half and Tabor missed a field goal at the buzzer, giving Avila a 14-7 lead at the break.

And just three plays into the second half, Avila extended that lead on a 55-yard touchdown strike from Williams to Kendal Wooley. Jordan Bolden rushed in a score for the Bluejays on their next drive and Nathaniel Heilig ended the third quarter with a field goal bringing the score back to 21-17, but the Bluejays never got closer: a 61-yard touchdown run from Jahkese Watkins was proved to be the biggest play of the game, and a 26-yard catch and run for six by Wooley in the final minute provided the difference, with the picks from Miller and Valentine stamping out any chance of a Bluejay comeback in what ended up a 35-17 victory for the Eagles.

Williams played a clean game, throwing for 272 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers; Watkins had a career game, rushing 19 times for a season-high 115 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and a score; Wooley caught only two passes, but they went for 81 yards and both went for scores; Jalen Thach caught six passes for 97; Dennis Johnson led the Avila defense yet again with 11 total tackles.

Up next, Avila football will return home to Kansas City and play two straight divisional home games at The Z. First up, a local rivalry match against Ottawa this coming Saturday, October 28 at 1 PM. As always, admission for games at The Z is priced at $10 per car, and you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network with Joe Van Amburg on the call from Kansas City.