The Eagle Report
Sullivan Eagles sports was in full swing last week, as both the football and softball squads are winding down to the later portion of their schedules.
Head football coach Eddie Haar was looking to keep the good times rolling into Homecoming against Hermann, coming off of a convincing road win against Pacific the week previous. Senior running back Franky Erxleben ran wild in that game, but the good money says that Hermann reviewed that game film several times before their meeting last Friday night.
Erxleben was held to minimal gains to start the game, with junior wideout Seth Valley answering the call and coming up with a pair of touchdown grabs in which he had to adjust his route and essentially rip a jump ball away from the defender.
Senior Colton Brendel was instrumental on defense, including a takeaway before the end of the first half that gave the Eagles a pile of momentum heading into the locker room tied at 21 after trailing by two touchdowns with about two and a half minutes remaining in the half.
Homecoming King Franky Erxleben ended up finding some breakaway moments in the second half as the Eagle’s strong passing game had allowed them to open up their playbook a little and keep the Hermann defense guessing. But ultimately it was the bizarre 2-point conversion play that was the undoing of the Sullivan victory train on Friday.
Following a penalty that pushed Hermann’s extra point attempt back, an unlikely miracle play in which Hermann senior quarterback Trenton Lampkin threw the ball up for grabs across his body, the ball bounced off of two Sullivan players before being caught for the game-winning two-point conversion. The play was a heartbreaking and frustrating end to a game that saw Sullivan battle back and ultimately establish their brand of football in the second half.
The Eagles football squad welcomes the Saint James Tigers (3-3) to town for their final home contest of the season. Sullivan then travels to Owensville before having another Thursday night game against North County on October 19 to close out the regular season. The Class 4 state football tournament will start on October 27.
Softball was able to materialize a thrilling 6-5 win against Rolla last Monday the 25th before the Lady Eagles went to the Springfield Invitational tournament over the 29th and 30th of September. Coach Ashley Crump’s squad started off with a convincing 10-1 victory over Logan-Rogersville before dropping a pair of games to Willard and Sherwood. Sullivan then rattled off back-to-back victories against the Camdenton Lakers and West Plains to finish their time in Springfield on a winning note.
Softball will conclude their schedule before District play with a trip to St. Francis-Borgia on Thursday October 3 and then the FCNB Rolla Invitational tournament, in which they will have a chance to get revenge on Willard. The Lady Eagles will also play Father Tolton Catholic out of Columbia, as well as Neelyville to round out their schedule.