Football Closes Chapter With District Loss

The Eagles (6-5) huddled for one last time on Friday, Nov. 8. Their final team meeting came after a 42-20 loss to Pacific (6-5) in the Class 4 District 2 Semifinal. Sullivan failed to make the championship after two consecutive trips.

They last faced the Indians a month ago on Homecoming night, crushing them 50-36. The Pacific edged past the Eagles 21-20 a year earlier to take the district title. 

Emotions ran high in Sullivan’s final huddle as their season was coming to a close. It was the last time thirteen seniors would be on the field with their teammates and coaches in an Eagles uniform. 

Head coach Eddie Haar described their final meeting as one that is “never easy to address with so much emotion being released by the seniors.” For his final message to the Eagles, Haar hoped they walked away from the gridiron knowing that “hard work can get you a lot of places in football and life.”

Captains Robert York II and Nolan Center gave their final addresses before handing off the torch. Sullivan had eleven other seniors who took their last snaps on Friday: Seth Valley, Parker Montee, Grant Halmick, Kel Taylor-Gray, Kaden Smith, Anden Carey, Tucker Fruewirth, Matthew Beck, Isaiah Skaggs, Paton Jones and Benny Cornejo.

Haar thanked his graduating players for leaving their mark on the program. He explained, “Most of our seniors were three-year JV players who, through hard work and passion, [became] starters and big-time contributors their senior year. That was simply because of their hard work and commitment to our program. I really want those boys to be proud of that because I sure am for them!”

R. York snuck into the end zone twice for his last time as Sullivan’s quarterback. The senior bailed out of the pocket for 101 yards on nine scrambles. He completed seven of his nine passes for 61 yards, including a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Mark Jennings led Sullivan on the ground with 145 yards on 23 carries. He also dominated in the air, hauling in three receptions for 38 yards, including a touchdown.

Chase Blue broke away with 112 rushing yards on 20 handoffs.

Nathan Garcia sprinted for 12 yards on three carries.

In his final game as an Eagle, Valley snagged a 10-yard pass and a two-point conversion.

Cameron York completed a 10-yard reception.

Oliver Borton tossed his first career double pass to R. York for 15 yards.

Game Recap

The Indians set the tone during the opening kickoff. Pacific returner Gavin Haddox took it to the house, starting his team on top 7-0.

Sullivan responded with a score to set the edge. Jennings first broke past defenders for 21 yards, then put the Eagles at 1st and five from the goal line. R. York followed by faking the handoff and tip-toeing into the end zone. Sullivan hoped to tie, but a blocked extra point left the Eagles trailing by one.

Pacific’s offense continued to have their foot on the gas pedal. Seth Stack connected with Colton Kossuth on a 16-yard swing pass. Their quarterback then scrambled past the plane for a 14-6 lead.

The Eagles failed to respond, fumbling at their 33-yard line. When the Indians returned on offense, Sullivan defensive back Valley scooped up a loose Pacific ball to prevent a third trip to the end zone.

Sullivan slowly marched down the gridiron on their following possession. Blue moved the chains with his runs, and Jennings hopped over an Indian to set his team in plus territory. Despite the Eagles finding their rhythm, they fell short of the first down marker on Pacific’s 26.

The Indians capitalized on the turnover on downs to put themselves ahead 21-6. Kossuth zoomed past the Eagles for 43 yards, and Stack snuck in his second touchdown.

Sullivan returner Valley gave his team momentum by executing a fake reverse to Borton and bringing the kick to Pacific’s 42-yard line. The Eagles tried to shoot a score downfield but were unable to, and Pacific took back possession.

Stack then floated a 45-yard pass to Parker Thomas, placing the Indians near the red zone. Pacific attempted to snatch their final touchdown of the first half before the clock ran out. But on a crucial 4th down, Eagles defensive back Borton broke up a Pacific pass to spoil the rally.

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