The HFL Youth Cougars C-Team made the long ride home from Jordan-Elbridge a happy one by notching a win against the host Eagles 34-25. Jordan-Elbridge opened the scoring in the contest, but was quickly answered by a Carson Joint 43-yard scoring run with 5:14 left in the first quarter. HFL converted the extra point on a Matt Meacham to Nolan Smith pass to give the Cougars a 7-6 lead. HFL continued their superior special teams play, pinning J-E deep in its own territory on a great kick and cover. After a big tackle for a loss by Preston Yates, HFL’s Troy Mooney picked off an Eagle’s pass to give the Cougars the ball on the 36 yard line of J-E. Carson Joint then quickly put the Cougars up 14-6 on a 16 yard touchdown run. The day would prove to clearly be Mr. Joint’s on the next J-E series, as #44 stripped the ball from the Eagles running back, giving HFL another prime scoring opportunity in J-E territory. Donnell Hall electrified the crowd with a dazzling 28-yard scamper, taking the ball down to the Eagles 20 yard line. Jordan-Elbridge’s defense stiffened, however, and held the Cougars without a score.

Momentum started to shift in the contest when J-E was also able to strip a ball, taking it in for a touchdown with only 23 seconds left in the half. After a nice long passing play from Matt Meacham to Preston Yates, the Eagles defense once again locked down and denied any more scoring by HFL. The Cougars maintained their lead at 14-12 going into the half.

The HFL Cougars came out of the break hungry for the end zone, and put together the game’s next scoring drive. After effectively moving the ball downfield on several plays, Preston Yates was able to break off an exciting 27-yard touchdown run. Nolan Smith tacked on the extra point on a QB keeper, extending the HFL lead to 21-12. J-E would not go quietly. The Eagles began to take advantage of HFL’s inability to contain the outside run, and effectively drove downfield. Despite some nice plays on defense by Giovanni D’Anna, Zach Tooley, Aaron Fasick, and Jack Harvey, the Eagles were able to score, cutting the HFL lead to 21-18. On the next drive, HFL countered with the strong running of Carson Joint, moving the ball effectively downfield. Drew Angelo made a spectacular run all the way down to the J-E 3 yard line, and although appearing to be out of bounds, was ruled to have fumbled upon being tackled, giving the ball to the Eagles. HFL’s defense, and particularly Landon Hammond, would prove too strong for J-E, however, forcing them to turn the ball over on downs at the 20 yard line. The Cougars wasted no time in taking advantage of the great field position, punching the ball in for a touchdown on a QB keeper run by Nolan Smith, making the score 27-18.

The resilient Eagles would not quit, however. Again exploiting the outside edge, J-E wasted no time in putting more points on the board with a 56-yard scamper that drew the game within one score at 27-25. With little time left on the clock, HFL went back to its strength, the power running duo of Joint and Smith, to seal the victory. Another QB keeper by Smith resulted in a touchdown, followed by an extra point pass to Yates, making the final score 34-25. This victory marks back to back wins for the squad, making the C-Team 4-2 on the season. The Cougars finish up the season with two final games at home. The HFL C-Team faces Newark next Sunday, October 5th, 10:00AM at HFL High School.