Eaton won 29-7 to defeat Brookville for the first time since 2014 and to remain unbeaten. The team lingered on the field celebrating with fans and families long after the opponent had gone to the locker room.
“We were more focused on the game, the win,” Boston said. “As a team we decided we don’t need that this year.”
Big plays on offense, defense and special teams and running the ball at will did all the talking for the Eagles (7-0, 4-0 Southwestern Buckeye League).
· Josh Martin answered an opening score by the Blue Devils in the second quarter with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie the score 7-7. “I had to take the opportunity and ran as fast as I could,” he said.
· Aiden Williams rushed for 222 yards on 30 carries, including a clinching 55-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
· Brock Ebright completed 14-of-20 passes for 115 yards and a 26-yard touchdown to Leslie Orr to open a 20-7 lead in the third quarter.
· Boston had two sacks and tag-teamed with Chris Atkins for a safety in the fourth quarter.
“To finally get over the Brookville hump, if you will, for the locker room is going to go far,” said Eaton coach Brad Davis, whose team has secured the program’s first winning season since 2013.
Williams, a senior who is averaging 130 rushing yards a game, said this win is “a big statement game for everybody in the league to just let them know that we’re not that bad team anymore. We stepped up, we put in the work and we’re proud of it. It’s been a long time coming.”
Brookville (5-2, 2-2) beat Eaton by a touchdown the past two seasons, so coach Steve Hetrick knew the kind of game his team was in for.
“They’re always a tough, physical team,” he said. “They’re big, they’re physical, they’ve got speed, their quarterback does a great job of running the offense. They’re a very solid, sound football team.”
The team’s traded two turnovers apiece on four consecutive possessions in the first half. One of those turnovers happened when Boston caught a pass and fumbled when Brookville’s Owen Ashworth put his helmet on the ball.
“These guys feed off my energy,” Boston said. “I can’t get my head down, not a second. If I make a bad play, my head’s gotta stay up. It kind of fueled me to have a better game.”
After Martin’s kickoff return shifted the momentum, the Eagles dominated with the Boston-led defense, their offensive line and Williams. The next drive was 10 plays and Williams ran eight of them, mostly behind right guard Hayden Bratton and right tackle Zac Schaffer.
“We’re pretty known this year for being the most physical team on the field,” Martin said. “That’s what we strive for. We just like to pound it in their face.”
The pounding continued in the second half when Williams had 140 yards and the Eagles controlled the clock and kept Brookville’s offense on the sideline.
“Anytime you’re able to physically impose your will when everybody in the stadium knows what you’re going to do, it’s a pretty good feeling,” Davis said.
The good feelings didn’t end Friday night. Before turning their attention to next week’s opponent, Carlisle, Williams planned to treat his linemen – Bratton, Schaffer, Reid Tintsman, Gabe Puckett, Brady Rice – Saturday morning.
“I got the best O line in the league,” Williams said. “They take care of me on Fridays, I take care of them Saturday mornings.”
How so?
“I bring them donuts,” he said. “Daylight Donuts – best place there is. Last time I spent $60 on some donuts to make sure my O line was fed.”
Will he spend $60 again?
“Yes, sir!”
“We worked for it,” Puckett said. “It’s awesome.”
And Puckett’s favorite?
“Jelly filled!”
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