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They’ve helped the Eagles to a 5-0 start, a No. 1 ranking in the Division III state media poll and a No. 1 rating in the playoff points for Region 12. But they were smiling and enjoying the victory with no regrets.
“It was special being here at the Glass, winning in front of the home crowd with a big win,” Minor said.
They’ve found a tight community at CJ that they say is worth missing half a season. Their plan is to support their teammates and help coach them up a little.
“It’s a big deal for me coming from Meadowdale,” Marquis Henry said. “We didn’t have much fans in the crowd or people supporting us. Here it’s just wonderful, especially when it’s the students, the people you go to school with.”
They’ll all be talking about the night Henry had. He scored a school-record six touchdowns. The previous record was five by Jack Furderer in 1951, Trey Coleman in 1982 and Javon Ringer in 2004. Henry rushed for 245 yards on 15 carries. He scored on runs of 9, 49 and 68 yards in the first half to lead the Eagles to a 33-14 lead. The Patriots (4-1) were resilient and cut the Eagles’ lead to 46-30 late in the third quarter. That meant Henry kept getting the ball and scored his final two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
“The most fun I’ve probably ever had in a football game,” Henry said.
Minor completed 9 of 14 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. Marquel Henry made four tackles. Colvin said it’s up to him and his coaching staff to replace the three starters and keep the team winning. Freshman Luke Chandler is one of the quarterback options. The running game will lean heavily on junior Quincy Johnson, who rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
“It’s going be our job to coach and have our kids play for those guys,” Colvin said. “Those are three really good football players, and surely it’s going to change us.”
While the Eagles won two playoff games last year, Carroll was 1-9 with a young team. A year older, the Patriots are led by a strong running game led by Fred Butts, who had 95 yards on 18 carries. Trent Fox threw for 206 yards. The Patriots entered the week in second place behind CJ in the Region 12 ratings.
“I’m proud of our program,” Patriots coach Ben Rulli said. “Nobody believed that these boys would be 4-1 after five games. We told them it’s not in the tank — it’s one loss. Pick yourself back up and get after it for the next five.”
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