BIG RUSHING GAME NOT ENOUGH AS FOOTBALL FALLS AT BETHEL

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – A 129-yard rushing day from running back Quentin Curtis was not enough for Avila's offense to keep up with Bethel as the Eagles fell to the Threshers on Saturday afternoon, 35-25.

Bethel scored on its first two drives of the afternoon and held a very early 14-0 lead.

After forcing a Bethel punt, Avila had a nine-play drive stall but managed to get three points from a Juan Delgado-Medina field goal to cut the deficit to 14-3.

The Threshers answered back right away with their third touchdown of the first half to hold a 21-3 halftime lead.

Bethel put up a long touchdown drive on their first opportunity out of halftime, but Avila would cut the lead immediately.

Directly following a 46-yard rush from Curtis that put Avila in a goal-to-go situation, Curtis ran it in from seven-yards out to get the Eagles in the end zone for the first time on the afternoon. Midway through the third, Avila trailed 28-10.

On Bethel's next drive, Lyndon Shell Jr. picked off a Threshers pass but Avila could not capitalize on the turnover and punted the ball back to the home team.

After a short punt from Bethel gave Avila the ball back in Thresher territory, the Eagles got in the end zone once again thanks to a four-yard touchdown pass from Christian Neely to Latron Powell. Early in the fourth, Bethel's lead shrunk to 28-17.

Back-to-back punts gave Bethel the ball back and the Threshers put the game away with a 69-yard touchdown pass six plays into the ensuing drive.

Avila added another Neely touchdown pass with a minute remaining to finalize the 35-25 scoreline.

In addition to Shell, Adonys Bodre picked off a Bethel pass on the afternoon. On the offensive end, Avila had three receivers with 40 or more yards: Mecoast Vaughn (46), Kenneth Calupe (42) and Powell (41). 

Avila will look to get back in the win column on Nov. 8 when they take on Ottawa for their final game away from home of 2025. Kickoff against the Braves is slated for 1 PM.

(photo credit: Ali Nassir)