{"id":12824,"date":"2020-08-25T19:33:15","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T19:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsleaderonline.com\/war-eagles-open-season-with-14-8-loss-to-vikings\/"},"modified":"2020-08-25T19:33:15","modified_gmt":"2020-08-25T19:33:15","slug":"war-eagles-open-season-with-14-8-loss-to-vikings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsleaderonline.com\/war-eagles-open-season-with-14-8-loss-to-vikings\/","title":{"rendered":"War Eagles open season with 14-8 loss to Vikings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
As West Carroll High School head football coach Josh Wolfe predicted, Friday night\u2019s season-opening game against the Fayette Academy Vikings featured quite a few bumbles and fumbles for both teams, which was to be expected considering that was the first time either team had squared off against an opponent this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And a rainy first half and a wet field probably didn\u2019t help matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But things definitely got more focused and exciting late in the game as the fourth quarter ended with the contest locked at 8-8, and then the Vikings pulled out a 14-8 win in overtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first three quarters went by scoreless as failed drives and turnovers plagued both teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the high points from the first three quarters included a pass interception in the first quarter by West Carroll\u2019s C.J. Ray, a first-quarter pass interception by the Vikings, a drive-ending sack by West Carroll\u2019s Cody Wildridge early in the second quarter, and a fumbled snap recovery by West Carroll\u2019s Jay Long in the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The War Eagles started the first scoring drive of the game midway through the third quarter and were sitting on Fayette Academy\u2019s 22-yard line at the end of the third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then on the first play of the fourth quarter, West Carroll\u2019s Jacob Blankenship made an impressive airborne catch in the end zone on a pass from quarterback Xander Moon. Tyler Shaddon pushed his way in on the conversion, and the War Eagles were up 8-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things were looking hopeful for a West Carroll victory as Grant Green ended the Vikings\u2019 subsequent possession with a fumble recovery halfway through the fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the War Eagles ended up punting the ball back two minutes later, and the Vikings capitalized on the opportunity shortly thereafter with a 57-yard breakaway touchdown and a successful conversion pass, tying the game at 8-8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
West Carroll punted again with a minute and half left in the fourth, and then West Carroll\u2019s Jack Barrow stopped the Vikings\u2019 last minute attempt to break the tie with a quarterback sack in the backfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In overtime, the Vikings took the first turn, starting at West Carroll\u2019s 10-yard line, and Fayette Academy quarterback Luke Moore ran it in from eight yards out. Moore\u2019s attempt at the two-pointer, however, was halted by West Carroll\u2019s Hunter Lindsey, leaving the Vikings ahead 14-8 but vulnerable to an eight-point answer from the War Eagles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that didn\u2019t pan out for West Carroll. A keeper by Moon and a penalty against Fayette Academy had the War Eagles poised at the three-year line, but then an overthrown snap flew over Moon\u2019s head. A Viking defender fell on the ball, sealing the win for Fayette Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The War Eagles are slated to travel to McKenzie Friday night to face off with the Rebels, starting at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n