GROUND ATTACK AND DEFENSE TAKE AVILA FOOTBALL TO FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

LINDSBORG, Kan. – More than 130 yards on the ground and a defensive touchdown sent Avila football back to Kansas City with a 27-26 victory over Bethany on Saturday afternoon, the program's first victory of 2025.

The first drive of the game was a three-and-out for the Eagles, but the defense answered back almost immediately to bail the offense out and get the game off on the right foot.

Two plays into Bethany's opening drive, Keynon Johnson sacked the Swedes' quarterback, forcing a fumble and freshman Cordell Holley returned the loose ball 25 yards for an Avila touchdown.

After two defensive snaps, Avila held a 7-0 lead.

Bethany answered back right away with a long touchdown drive, but a missed PAT still supplied Avila with a 7-6 lead.

On Avila's first drive of the second quarter, Quentin Curtis rammed his way into the endzone on a two-yard touchdown rush to give the Eagles a 13-6 lead.

Following a Swedes' punt, the Eagles put up a big play on the first play of the ensuing drive with QB Francisco Beltran finding WR Seth Myers for a 74-yard touchdown pitch and catch, extending Avila's lead to 20-6.

The Swedes would respond with another touchdown drive and force an Avila punt on their ensuing drive.

Following the Avila punt, Bethany swung momentum back in their favor with a second-consecutive touchdown drive to tie the score at 20-20 at the division rivals entered halftime deadlocked.

The two teams traded punts to open the second half, but another huge play from the Avila defense almost set the Eagles up nicely.

On the second play of Bethany's next drive, Kameron Greene seemed to have intercepted a Bethany pass, but a pass interference penalty negated the turnover. Bethany took advantage of the flag and continued their drive, which resulted in a field goal to take a 23-20 lead.

Avila's ground attack answered back right away with Curtis once again finding the endzone, this time on a 48-yard dash to put Avila back up by four, 27-23.

To open the fourth quarter, Bethany booted a 29-yard field goal to narrow the lead to one point.

From there, the game would be won or lost on defense.

Avila's penultimate drive of the game ended on a turnover on downs, placing the ball back in Bethany's hands.

A 12-play drive by the Swedes ended with a punt back to the Eagles with less than five minutes remaining.

Meticulous offensive success and untimely Bethany penalties helped Avila run the clock out and secure the 27-26 win in central Kansas. The Eagles faced two third downs on their final drive, converting both on well-executed runs.

Curtis rushed 17 times for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Kasaun Graham carried the ball for 56 yards on 10 rushes. Avila had three receivers (Myers, Isaiah Sutton and Mecoast Vaughn) record 40-plus receiving yards.

On the defensive side, Johnson (11), Shamar Scruggs (11) and Greene (10) put up double-digit tackles. 

Avila returns to The Z on October 25 to take on Evangel at 1 PM.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)