Eagles Stay in the Hunt with Win Over the Skyhawks

photo by Al Levine Photography

Waleska, GA - In a thrilling Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) showdown, RU Football showcased their dominance on the field with a decisive 36-26 victory over the Point Skyhawks at Ken White Field, Waleska, GA. The game saw the Eagles executing a balanced attack led by standout performances from both offense and special teams.

Reinhardt had to play catchup as the first half had a few costly turnovers and penalties that put them behind. However, they went into halftime with a commanding lead of 29-19 despite some. Reinhardt blocked two extra-point attempts by the Skyhawks, returning one for a safety.

Tyress McKey and Jamarion Walker were paramount to the Eagles' offensive success, contributing two rushing touchdowns each. However, the highlight of the game was Jah Colbert's spectacular 70-yard punt return for a touchdown just before the half that gave the Eagles an edge in the game. McKey ran the ball 5 times for 74 yards, and he had 3 catches for 42 yards.  

On the defensive side, Cortez Brown was ready to play, racking up 10 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, establishing a formidable presence in the middle of the Eagles' defense. This helped thwart many of Point's offensive strategies - especially in the second half. The defense took control of the game in the second half, breaking the rhythm of the Skyhawk's quarterback. Mitchell Gossett. Darren McKenzie added to the defensive show with a fumble recovery and sack. McKenzie, Emmanuel Olaitan, and other defensive linemen for the Eagles put heavy pressure on Gossett, which kept the Skyhawks off the board for most of the second half.

Special teams also played a pivotal role in Reinhardt's victory, with Cobert not only excelling in the punt return but also marking significant yard gains. Kicker Alex Hanson consistently executed his duties, delivering a perfect 4-for-4 performance in point-after-touchdown attempts and maintaining pressure with effective kickoffs.

Looking forward, the Eagles are preparing to continue their winning momentum as they host St. Andrews at Ken White Field on October 19, 2024. With their current record standing at 3-4, this victory is a hopeful sign of turning the season around. Pikeville still has the advantage at the moment in the AAC, but the Eagles made sure they stayed in striking distance in case the Bears slip somewhere down the line. The bye week comes at a good time for the Eagles because there are several "knicks and bruises" that need to heal and put the team back at full strength.