Eads Gets Back On Track in Ark-Valley League with 50-28 Win

By Betsy Barnett

October 10, 2003

The Eads Eagles managed to hold on to the possibility of a playoff berth with a 50-28 Homecoming win over the Walsh Eagles in Eads on Friday night. Eads, who has struggled through four straight losses, got back on track with all but one starter on the field as they used both the air and ground in one of their best offensive performances of the season. Senior quarterback Steven Gilmore would continue to lead Eads running the bait in three times for Eads and throwing for four more touchdowns in the wild homecoming affair.

Walsh would actually score first as the air proved very profitable for them. With 4:08 left in the first, a nine-yard pass play put them up on Eads, 6-0. Walsh would score three more times from the air as they could get nothing going on the ground against the tough Eagle defense. Although the pass coverage was shaky at times, the rest of the defense was solid as Eads would put on five quarterback sacks throughout the contest; all coming from the junior ends Dam Barnett and Kelly Lindholm. Defensively, Bamett and Anthony Voss would come up with 17 tackles apiece.

While Eads was able to control Walsh on the defensive side, their offense started to click behind their superior quickness and powerful run attack. Junior Marcus Gilmore and senior Cody Cordova would combine with Steve Gilmore in the running attack putting up nearly 300 yards on the ground. And Gilmore was very successful in the air, particularly to Lindholm, who scored three touchdowns from Gilmore’s fine arm.

With the win, Eads is still in control of their own destiny and must continue to win in order to have a chance to sneak into the playoffs. With two games remaining in the regular season, Eads must first take care of Wiley, who is coming off a close win over the Granada Bobcats and are also in the running. The Panthers will have to come to Eads where the Eagles should be ready to put up a road block to end any chance for them to get in the playoffs. Kick off in Eads is slated for 7 PM on Friday night.