By Mark Blentlinger
The Schoolcraft Golden Eagles began their season returning to the remodeled Roy Davis Field. The berm has been removed, and a new sound system, scoreboard, lighting, bleachers and track have been installed.
Centreville Bulldogs’ football team was the first opponent to challenge the Eagles on their home turf.
During week 1, Schoolcraft traveled to Ithaca to take on the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Lakers. There, the Golden Eagles came away with a win, 28-18.
At the home field opener, Schoolcraft held off the Bulldogs, winning 28-6. Centreville had more plays at 48 to Schoolcraft’s 47, but the Golden Eagles had the top in total yards at 164 to the Bulldogs’ 118.
The Golden Eagles faced the visiting Constantine Falcons and their hard-to-follow Wing-T offense for the 3rd game of the 2024 season. The Golden Eagles started on offense, but on a series of downs, they punted the ball. The Falcons then marched their way down the field, using nearly the entire 8 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Constantine’s Brady Jones scored from the one-yard line and after the successful extra point, the Falcons captured an early lead, 7-0. The second quarter was more back and forth until Schoolcraft’s Cooper Howard scored and Gavin Knowlton’s successful extra point tied the game at 7. Schoolcraft’s defense held strong; Drew Enright stepped in front of Constantine’s intended receiver for the interception, and ran 38 yards for the pick 6. With a successful kick, the Eagles led at the half, 14-7.
Both teams continued scoring in the second half. Falcon quarterback Brody Jones broke a 74-yard-run, and with a good 2-point conversion, the Falcons assumed the lead, 14-15. Schoolcraft’s Gavin Knowlton kicked a field goal, moving the score to Schoolcraft 17-15 lead.
It wasn’t long before the direction changed. Another Falcon ran a 48-yard run into the end zone, and another 2-point conversion changed the lead to Constantine, 17-23.
The Golden Eagles worked downfield. A successful pass from Jack DeVries to Drew Enright allowed a Schoolcraft score. Knowlton’s kick faced a bit left, hit the upright, and bounced out, leaving the score at the end of the game tied 23-23.
In overtime rules, both teams have a chance to score from the 15-yard line. Constantine went first, scored, and had a successful 2-point conversion, taking the lead, 23-31. During Schoolcraft’s possession, Gavin Hart punched through the defense from the 2-yard line. But Constantine stopped the run during Schoolcraft’s 2-point conversion attempt, giving the Eagles their first loss of the season, their record now 2-1.
Total offense for the Golden Eagles: 238 yards with 143 being through the air and 95 rushing. The Falcons had 267 total yards with 236 on the ground and 31 through the air. Coach Ferency told his players that as much as this loss hurt, he was extremely proud of all his players. He said, “Look, this one is over. Nothing we can do about it now, time to look at next week and beyond.”
The Golden Eagles traveled to Galesburg-Augusta September 20, where Schoolcraft got back on track, defeating the Rams 49-0. There will be a grand opening of the Roy Davis Field September 27 when the Golden Eagles will welcome the Comets of Coloma for Schoolcraft’s Fall Homecoming.
