Hudson’s Bay Eagles
Eagles to meet Rochester in a non-league Week 2 battle
Week 1: Hudson’s Bay 31, LaSalle (Ore.) 28
Week 2: at Rochester, 7 p.m. Friday
The Eagles got a field goal with 2 seconds left in the game to win it in front of their home crowd.
Special special teams: It is rare for a high school game in Clark County to be won, in the final seconds, with a field goal. And this was no chip shot. Nick Campbell was true on a 38-yard field goal with 2 seconds on the clock.
Other plays that stood out: Carter Morse’s 97-yard touchdown pass from Brian Perez was fun to watch. Fine pass on the run while the quarterback was being hit. Then Morse, who had to come down with the catch and had to start running again, could sense the last defender gaining on him. Instead of trying to outrun him, Morse put on the brakes, used a stiff-arm to create some space, then broke another tackle on his way to the end zone.
Still, one of the best parts of this play wasn’t this play. It was two plays earlier when the Bay defense got the ball to the offense to set up the 97-yarder.
LaSalle had a fourth-and-1, and Angel Terry was a monster on the defensive line, blasting through his opponent to find the ball carrier. First down Hudson’s Bay on the 3-yard line. Two plays later, Bay went 97 yards the other way for a touchdown.
Coach Speak:
What did Ray Lions learn about his team in Week 1? “We are the team we thought we were. This is a group of players that have focused more on the bigger picture than individual play or circumstances,’’ Lions said. “We were able to stay the course as we did through spring and summer ball.”
Coach’s pick for MVP on offense: Brian Perez hit multiple receivers all night and hung in the pocket, his coach said. “He never panicked at any point of the game. Keep in mind this was his first start of his career in high school football.”
Lions gave honorable mention to Toa Kaumatule and Elijah Fischel for running with purpose and tenacity. The Eagles needed that after the injury to Marco Cadiz.
Coach’s pick for MVP on defense: Myles Artis for “chasing down runners” and “causing pressure in the passing game.”
Honorable mention, the coach said, to Angel Terry and Toa Kaumatule.
Thoughts on next game: “This is an opportunity to win the battle up front. Rochester will run the ball a majority of the time, and it will be important that we control the line of scrimmage,’’ Lions said. “As for their defense … they are pretty balanced regarding pressure. It will be vital to take advantage of the numbers game and to continually get the ball to our players in space.”
