Eagles football bested by top-three ranked Patriots on Senior Night

ST. JOHN - The St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles football team lost their eight game of the season as they were routed by the Liberty Christian Patriots, losing 64-12.

The Patriots moved to 8-0 on the season and are currently the third-best team in the WIAA for the 1B division based on the RPI-rankings.

With the loss, the Eagles still only have one win on the season with one game to go.

The game against the Patriots started with senior night festivities, where four eagle seniors were recognized.

The recognized seniors were: Matthew DeFord, Landen Miller, John Hergert, and Tucker Taylor.

William Tollett of the Eagles Cross Country team was also recognized.

After the festivities, the game kicked off with the Eagles picking up two quick first downs before turning the ball over to the Patriots after a failed 4th and two.

The Patriots scored their first touchdown of the game on a 22-yard passing touchdown to lead 8-0 early.

After a three-and-out from the Eagles, the Patriots scored a 50-yard rushing touchdown on their first play to lead 16-0.

After the touchdown the Patriots kicked an onside kick to the Eagles. The Eagles recovered the onside kick and managed to score on the play, trailing 16-6 in the first quarter.

The Patriots failed to convert a 4th down on their next drive, giving the ball to the Eagles. After a chippy end to the quarter, the Eagles turned the ball back over to the Patriots, who scored a rushing touchdown on the second play of the drive, leading 22-6.

The next offensive play for the Eagles was a strip fumble touchdown scored by Liberty Christian, who now lead 28-6.

The next bright spot for the Eagles was a double-reverse trick play, which went for 40 yards to set the Eagles up for a scoring opportunity.

DeFord scored a two-yard rushing touchdown a few plays later to trail 28-12 with 8:47 left in the second quarter.

The ensuing Eagles possession was another fumble recovered by the Patriots. Liberty Christian scored a 50-yard rushing touchdown on the first play, now leading 34-12.

After yet another fumble recovery by the Patriots, they finish the half with a passing touchdown, with the Eagles heading into the halftime locker room trailing 42-12.

The second half of the game had a slower pace, with both teams showing strong defensive play.

The Patriots scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, and both teams went scoreless in the fourth, with the Patriots taking the 64-12 victory.

As a team, the Eagles gave up 142 passing yards for one touchdown, and 470 rushing yards for six touchdowns, including 410 yards and five touchdowns from Charlie Branning.

The next game for the Eagles will be played against the Waitsburg Cardinals. The Cardinals are 2-5 on the season.

The game will take place in Waitsburg, and will kick off at 7 p.m.