Tarblooders Hold Off Eagles in Dramatic 28-27 Victory
Tarblooders Hold Off Eagles in Dramatic 28-27 Victory
The Glenville Tarblooders edged out the St. Edward Eagles 28-27, handing the Eagles their third loss in four games. The Tarblooders, Division IV defending state champions, capitalized on key plays down the stretch to outlast the Division I powerhouse, snapping a nine-game losing streak to St. Edward in the process. The Eagles, who had not faced Glenville since a 41-6 rout in 2017, should have been confident after their preseason scrimmage win over the Tarblooders. However, Glenville had plans for revenge.
Glenville opened the scoring in the first quarter, with CJ Newell plunging into the end zone to give the Tarblooders a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point. But the Eagles responded with a 73-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Thomas Csanyi to wideout Zach Hackleman, giving St. Edward a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter. The back-and-forth affair would only intensify as both defenses made key stands, with Glenville forcing a missed field goal attempt in the second quarter, and a fumble recovery by the Eagles stalling a promising Tarblooders drive.
As the second half began, Glenville's defense came up huge again. After the Eagles drove deep into Tarblooder territory, Jaylen Edwards blocked a field goal attempt, and Jordin Johnson returned it to the St. Edward 23-yard line. Newell capitalized with his second touchdown of the night, running straight up the middle to put Glenville ahead 12-7 after a failed two-point conversion.
The Tarblooders extended their lead to 20-7 in the third quarter when Quincy Rogers' double pass set them up at the Eagles' 5-yard line. Romell Phillips broke a tackle in the backfield and reversed field for a touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
St. Edward answered quickly, with Csanyi connecting with Hackleman again for a 47-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 20-14. The Eagles surged ahead early in the fourth quarter, 21-20, when Csanyi found Hackleman once more, capping off a drive that started with a key 4th-and-1 conversion by Bradley Eaton.
However, Glenville would not be denied. The Tarblooders reclaimed the lead with just over four minutes to go as quarterback Lamarques Greenwood powered in a 2-yard touchdown run and then converted the two-point attempt himself, making the score 28-21.
With time running out, St. Edward mounted one final drive. Eaton punched in a late touchdown to bring the Eagles within one point, but Glenville’s defense stood tall, stopping the Eagles' two-point conversion attempt. Glenville recovered the onside kick and seemed poised to close the game, but the Eagles' defense forced a turnover on downs, giving them one last shot.
St. Edward advanced to the Glenville 35-yard line after a trick play, but Csanyi’s final pass was intercepted by Aaron Scales, sealing the win for Glenville.
The victory marks a significant momentum boost for the Tarblooders as they prepare to continue their Senate League dominance. St. Edward, meanwhile, faces a crucial rivalry game against St. Ignatius next week, looking to bounce back and regroup from their recent struggles.