Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Eagles lose game 66-13 against Sunnyside Christian
Eagles' quarterback (10) Joseph Hergert scrambles with the football in the game against Sunnyside Christian.
ST. JOHN - It was a long painful game for the St. John-Endicott-LaCrosse (SJEL) Eagles football team on Sept. 24.
The undefeated Sunnyside Christian Knights beat the Eagles 66-13. At half time, they led 40-0 and added 18 points more in the third quarter.
But with 9:30 left in the third, Eagles' quarterback Tanner Fleming returned an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Teammate Landen Miller kicked the extra point.
"That was the first time we kicked an extra point in a very long time," said SJEL Coach John Hergert.
As the fourth quarter was winding down as the Eagles added 6 points in two plays for 97 yards
Sunnyside kicked off after a score and SJEL got a penalty call for a block in the back on the return. It put the ball on the Eagles' 3-yard line.
Fleming threw an outside screen pass to Joseph Hergert that was good for 38 yards. The second play was Fleming scrambling and running 59 yards for the second SJEL touchdown. The extra point attempt failed when the holder got run over during the kick.
Sophomore Jacob Ropeter surprised his coach by gaining 4 tackles from the nose guard position in the second half. It's not his usual position.
"We were subbing in guys to positions that they hadn't played before to get them experience," said John Hergert.
The Eagles' coach said they faced a better team in Sunnyside Christian.
"They're a very well-disciplined team and have the numbers on us," he said. "They passed well and ran well. They're very well-coached."
John Hergert said he is proud of his team and how they handled the loss.
"They don't give up. We've got a really good group of kids that don't hang their heads down and have a defeatist attitude," he said.
On Friday, SJEL faces Liberty Christian, who are ranked No. 6 in the state.
The game start time was moved up to 3 p.m. due to trouble getting officials.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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