Eads Football Must Grow Up Fast

By Betsy Barnett

September 24, 2004

With only two upperclassmen on the field and more than half of the starters freshmen, the Eads Eagles will need to mature and grow up fast if they have any hope of competing in a tough Arkansas Valley Conference. Although Eads has a nice collection of athletes in the district, a disappointing twelve athletes have joined the football squad this season; a squad that in the past has made successful runs at the playoffs.

And grow up quickly they have. In just two games the difference in their level of play has improved dramatically, although four-year head coach Shawn Randel’s Eagles are sitting with a 0-2 record. Eads dropped their home opener to the thirty-plus numbers of the Stratton Eagles, 36-0, and then gave a much-improved performance against Springfield last Friday night dropping the contest, 36-6, a score that is not indicative of the improved level of play.

In the Stratton contest Eads could only muster two first downs and less than 100 yards total offense. And it seems to be the offense that is struggling the most as the defense stuck it out and made over 100 tackles in the contest. The slight offensive production came from senior Dain Barnett at quarterback and from the backers, senior Kelly Lindholm and freshman Demetrius Gilmore. On the defensive end, junior Hunter Uhland grabbed 20 tackles for Eads, while Barnett had 17, and Gilmore and Trice Watts nailed 16 green Eagles apiece. Freshman Wes Richardson grabbed 10 tackles in the defensive tally.

A better offensive line in the Springfield game allowed Eads to move up and down the field a few times and the offense managed some good yardage, particularly in the air. Barnett would find Gilmore in two plays resulting in 60 yards worth of gain. Barnett would throw for 104 yards in the air while Gilmore also added 88 on the ground. Eads also managed 13 first downs in the game. The sole touchdown for Eads was set up by a Barnett interception and a 58-yard run by Gilmore. Watts would punch it in from one yard out for Eads’ only score of the contest. Uhland was again exceptional on the defensive side of the ball nailing 19 Longhorns with Barnett adding 16 tackles and Gilmore getting 12 more. Eads was without the services of Lindholm who was out with a bad ankle, but did pick up junior Brandon Cordova who added 10 tackles to the Eagles’ defensive count.

Outstanding freshmen abound on this team as Eads has gotten gritty performances out of Tommy Chase, Jacob Kraft, and Kevin Lindholm on the line. Sophomore Jacob Buck rounds out the starters for Eads. The Eagles will be in action at Holly on Friday night. Holly had a lot of success last season and returns the bulk of their group; however, it is evident that the inexperience of Eads is starting to get things figured out so look for a good contest between the two teams.