busconews.com

by Don Hiatt

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In the year 2000 everyone was worried about Y2K, this season the Northeast Corner Conference Coaches are wondering “Why 2 Kyles?” Churubusco’s Kyle Mathewson and Kyle Monk are wrecking havoc on teams early this season. Mathewson collected four touchdowns (two rushing and two receiving) Friday night against Central Noble, as the Eagles defeated the Cougars 44-7. Monk accounted for four touchdowns by himself, throwing for two and running for two more.

After holding Central Noble on their first series, to three plays and a punt, the Eagles again scored on their first offensive play this week as Monk ran 17 yards on a quarterback keeper. The point after was good by Parker Conrad to give the Eagles an early seven to nothing lead. The score was set up by a 43-yard punt return by Layne Fulk, who returned a punt for a touchdown last week. The hard-hitting Churubusco defense again held the Cougars, forcing them to punt on fourth down and 18 yards to go. Mathewson ran for his first touchdown, 62 yards to paydirt on the Eagles’ third play of the series, for a 13-0 Churubusco lead. Central Noble’s offense was stalled, collecting just three first downs through the first three quarters, as the Eagle defense played outstanding. The Churubusco defense was in the Central Noble backfield the whole game. Monk hit Mathewson with a 20-yard pass to close out the scoring in the first quarter, giving the Eagles a 19-0 lead. The second quarter scoring was just like the first -- Mathewson 46 yard run, Monk 42 yard run and Monk finished with a 14-yard pass to Mathewson giving Churubusco a 38-0 halftime advantage. Mathewson’s touchdown run looked like he was stopped at the line of scrimmage, but he bounced it to the outside and dashed down the sidelines for six. Monk rolled left and found a crease in the Cougar defense and darted to the end zone on his score. On the ensuing kickoff, Central Noble fumbled the kick and never gained control as Fulk jumped on it at the Cougar nine-yard line. After a delay of game penalty with the ball moved back to the 14 yard line, Monk dropped back and had a Cougar defender hanging on as he connected with Mathewson for their second touchdown pass play of the night.

“I think we got better on our offensive line tonight,” said Coach Lee Etzler. “Zack Armstead had quite a few good plays tonight at the guard position. Brian Richardson and Zack Adams are getting better as the season progresses.”

The third period the Eagles continued to move the ball with ease as Jason Nicodemus returned the kickoff 19 yards. On the first play LeFever ran for 18 yards and then Jes Percey for 17 more, and with 10:27 left in the third quarter the Eagles scored their last points as LeFever outran the Cougar defense on a 15-yard run, 44-0 Eagles. The Eagle defense stiffened after giving up a first down on the Cougars next series. On first down Fulk knocked the ball away from Tyler Skinner. The Cougars retained possession as Skinner fell on the ball for an 18-yard loss. A short gain by the Cougars and then Justin Turnbow threw the center aside and pounced on Cochran for a three-yard loss.

“When it is early in the season and you’re winning, your focus needs to be on improving yourself,” explains Coach Etzler. “I feel that we are improving each week. Are we where we want to be? Not yet, we need to keep pushing ourselves and stay focused on our goals.”

The Eagles went to their bench for the remainder of the game. Jay Petrie completed two of three passes and freshman quarterback Hayden Kilgore directed the young Eagles down the field when he entered the game. Several Churubusco running backs had big runs for the Eagles, including Kane Johnson’s 29-yard run. Jason Nicodemus ran four times for 36 yards. Cody Conwell broke one for 14 yards, Luke McParlan had two carries for 13 yards and Braydon Shively carried once for nine yards.

The Eagles will host Prairie Heights this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Come on back to the game and check out the exciting Eagle football team.