College Park Cavaliers can't find rhythm against Eisenhower, fall 24-0

Watch it again: Eisenhower vs. College Park On-Demand

SHENANDOAH, Texas- A pooch kick to start the game, two long runs, and a muffed punt all in favor of the Eisenhower Eagles (2-0) was enough to earn the victory over The College Park Cavaliers (0-2), tonight from Woodforest Bank Stadium, 24-0.

College Park Head Coach Richard Carson knew the non-district slate of games this year would be a challenge for his team.

“They (Eisenhower) have pitched two shutouts this season,” said Carson. “I upped the non-district schedule for a reason. I knew we would have our hands full.”

The game started with a surprise onside kick from Eisenhower, which they recovered at College Park’s 37-yard line. This got College Park on their heels, and running back, Robert Brown, followed the recovery a few plays later with a 26-yard run that took the ball down to the 9-yard line. The Cavaliers regained their footing, and a sack by John Love on 3rd and 11 stopped the drive, and the Eagles settled for a 34-yard field goal made with ease, by Jean-Claude Samsoni for a 3-0 lead with 9:35 left in the first quarter

After a punt was partially blocked deep in Eisenhower territory late in the first, College Park saw themselves sitting in prime position at the Eagles 28-yard line. A tough snap led to a tough pitch from quarterback, Robert Ferguson, to running back, A.J. Sanders, and the Cavaliers would turn the ball over at the Eagles 36-yard line to end the first quarter.

On the first possession of the second quarter, Eagle quarterback, Faraji Robinson, returned the favor by fumbling the snap. In the immediate scramble to recover the ball, it got kicked 15 yards downfield to the Eagle 45-yard line, eventually being picked up by College Park linebacker, Kevoughn Clark. Unfortunately the Cavaliers offense couldn’t get anything going on this drive either, and were forced to punt, still trailing 3-0 with 7:12 left in the second quarter.

After a few back-and-forth possessions netted no points for either team, the half ended with College Park trailing Eisenhower by a score of 3-0 at the half. College Park ended the half with a total of 27 yards on 25 plays.

The second half continued the trend from the first, as both teams were still looking for a rhythm. A dropped passed on third down on the Eagles first possession forced a punt to the Cavalier 15-yard line, but a false start halted College Park’s drive, and the teams continued to trade possessions without points.

The first team to see their offense come to life was Eisenhower, who completed a pass on 2nd and 16 for 12 yards, then on 3rd and 4 from their 31-yard line, Robert Brown got loose up the middle of the field, for a 69-yard touchdown to break the scoring drought. This made the score 10-0 Eagles, with 6:34 left in the third quarter.

The game continued to see a swapping of possessions without points until a punt by the Eagles with 7:29 left in the fourth quarter, when College Park mishandled the catch and the Eagles got the ball at the Cavalier 10-yard line. Three plays later on 3rd and 9, Robert Brown scored on a hand-off to the near side of the field, to make the game 17-0 Eisenhower with 6:05 left in the game. Brown ended the night with 154 yards rushing on 20 carries, to go along with his two touchdowns.

After a turnover on downs by College Park, the Eagles saw backup quarterback,Jaelon Darden, run free down the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown to end the scoring for the night, with the Eagles taking the game 24-0.

“Defensively we only gave up one big play,” conveyed Carson. “Offensively, we have to get better. We’re one guy away a lot of times from having something good happen. That’s a part of this road process. Win or lose, I’d be saying the same thing right now.”

Next week College Park will travel to Rhodes Stadium on Thursday, September 11, to take on Katy Taylor.