Eagles offense hits on all cylinders

Salado Eagles rocked the Florence Buffaloes for 22 points in the third quarter, including two touchdowns with seconds of each other tonight, as the Eagles improved to 2-2 on the season.

The Eagles haven’t seen a 2-2 start since Jeff Cheatham was head coach.

Jake Harvey catches a pass and turns it into a touchdown for the Salado Eagles. Photo by Ron LeGuin.

With each week, the Salado offense eliminates more and more of the costly penalties and fumble that marked their first two losses.

This week, Salado put the ball on the ground twice, losing both fumbles and the Eagles were called for 55 yards in penalties on eight flags.

If the Eagles continue to cut down on the mental mistakes, they will have a head full of steam going into a completely new district in October.

The defense was also remarkable, allowing just 177 yards and 10 first down.

Let’s revisit the third quarter.

Cutter Hudgens returned the second half kick off 19 yards to the Salado 41 yard line as the Eagles had a 13-0 halftime lead already established.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Eagles, who have been a run-heavy team thus far, took to the air. Hayden Haire found a wide open Aaron Torczynski, hitting him in stride 20 yards down the middle of the field. Torczynski never looked back taking the pass for a 59 yard touchdown less than 30 seconds into the second half. Jake Walrath kicked the PAT for a 20-0 lead.

Wyatt Bagley, on the ensuing kickoff, fell on a fumble by Braxton Carlile at the Florence 32.

Haire hit Jake Harvey in stride at about the same spot from scrimmage that he had connected with Torczynski earlier. Harvey high-stepped it into the end zone for another touchdown before a minute had gone off the game clock. Trey Sheppard bulled his way in for a two-point conversion and a 28-0 lead.

The Eagles forced Florence to a three-and-out series and Hudgens returned the punt 40 yards to give Salado the ball at the Florence 28 yard. Workhorse Sheppard pounded the ball on hand off after hand off to give Salado a first and goal at the six. A flag for false start moved the ball back before Cade DePoy took the ball twice in a row, scoring on a six yard run with 7:09 left in the third. Walrath kicked the extra point for a 35-0 lead.

Edel Hernandez scored the only touchdown for Florence with 4:20 left in the fourth, running for 10 yards on a third down attempt.

With 4:42 left in the game, Walrath kicked a 24-yard field goal for the final score of the game, 38-8.

Sheppard, who carried the ball 22 times for 151 yards, scored on a 14 yard run on a fourth and two to put the first points on the board. Walrath added the extra point for a 7-0 lead two minutes into the second quarter.

Zach Adams, Ashten Sniggs,  and Chase Kunz tackled Hernandez for a three yard loss on a fourth down and six for the Buffaloes, to give Salado the ball at the Buffs’ 36 yard line.

On a third and 12, Haire threw the ball over the middle to Hudgens for a 66 yard touchdown. The PAT failed, giving Salado a 13-0 lead that the Eagles took to the lockers.