LASKER – Following their upset victory over Word of God last week, the Eagles of Northeast Academy were looking to avenge losses of the past couple of years against rival Halifax Academy. Unfortunately the Eagles came out flat and stayed that way throughout the game as the Vikings came out ready to play and claimed a 41-8 victory.

Behind the running of juniors Luke Blackman (243 yds. and 3 touchdowns on the ground) and Landen Poole (136 yards and a touchdown), and a defense that only allowed the Eagles 171 yards from scrimmage, the Vikings never let the Eagles get going.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff but could get nothing going and punted to the Vikings who took over at their own 18 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage senior Andrew Bryant ran around left end for 27 yards beginning a 12 play, 82 yard drive that ended with an eleven yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Garrett Morris to Blackman.  The PAT by Austin Starnes was good and the Vikings took a 7-0 lead at the 5:27 mark of the first quarter.

Following the kickoff, the Eagles fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and the ball was recovered by Cody Oakley of the Vikings at the Halifax 46 yard line.  A couple of penalties and a sack by the Eagles’ Jake Bryant forced the Vikings to punt.

Unable to move the ball the Eagles punted again to the Vikings.  This led to another Viking score as Poole and Blackman did the majority of the rushing on sweeps around both ends. Morris took the ball across the goal line from the one.  The PAT by Starnes was good again and the Vikings held a 14-0 lead.

Northeast was again forced to punt. This time Halifax struck quick as Blackman broke a tackle at the 30 yard line and scampered 53 yards for the final score of the first half.  The PAT by Starnes was again true and at halftime, Halifax led 21-0.

The Vikings took the second half kickoff and covered 65 yards on 5 plays with Blackman scoring on another end sweep from 36 yards out. Following the Starnes’ PAT, the Vikings lead had grown to 28-0.

The Eagles took the ensuing kickoff at their 30 yard line and put together a 10 play drive.  But the drive stalled at the Vikings 28, where the Vikings took over on downs.  On the first play from scrimmage, Blackman bolted around right end and ran 72 yards to pay dirt. The PAT by Starnes gave the Vikings a 35-0 lead.

After another Eagles’ punt, the Vikings put together another 10 play drive—this time beginning at their own 23 yard line and with Poole carrying the ball in from the one.  With a high snap from center, the PAT was no good, but the Vikings had managed to put 41 points on board.

Eagle fans finally got a little something to cheer about. Following the kickoff, the Eagles took over on their own 25 where Matthew Burgess broke loose around right end for a 75 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. A two point conversion by Christian Fleetwood gave the final score 41-8.

The Eagles will take their 1-1 record to Hobgood to face the Raiders next week and Halifax will host the Warriors of Lawrence Academy.