Eagles Overcome Injuries, Smother North Hardin 41-21

Senior quarterback Carter Penix runs a first half score.

The Oakley Watkins era kicked off in grand style Friday night, as the high-flying Eagles put up 41 points, winning the eCampus.com Bowl over a talented North Hardin squad. But it wasn't without its struggles.

A fall camp full of injuries has been the running theme. Paxton Gray, gone for the season, brings a huge loss on both sides of the ball. So many offensive linemen went down during the preseason, multiple backups were thrust into the starting line just to get through the scrimmages.

On the first play of offense Friday, senior running back/linebacker Mac Darland, a team leader, exited the game with a banged up shoulder. And then just when LCA began flexing its muscles offensively, QB1 Carter Penix went down, the latest in a long string of early season setbacks.

“It’s pretty special with these kids, especially with the adversity we’ve faced this week,” Watkins told the Herald-Leader. “We’ve had a lot of injuries. Obviously, Carter (Penix) and Mac (Darland) both go down tonight and both are starters for us. These guys just play with a next-man-up mentality. They really rose to the occasion today.”

Penix, who worked tirelessly in the offseason to win the starting quarterback job, played phenomenally in his starting debut. The senior went 9-16 for 103 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 22 yards and another score.

Then early in the 3rd quarter, with the Eagles driving the ball, Penix rolled left, planted and threw — a strike along the sideline to senior wideout Tyler King. A great play marred as Penix held his knee in pain on the turf, his night done.

Sam Pearson catches the edge on a jet sweep.

Enter Nash Whelan

Whelan, who split time at quarterback with Penix throughout the offseason, made an early impact offensively at running back. The sophomore, on an early 4th and 1, rumbled 54 yards for the score, giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead.

But after Penix went down, Whelan stepped in at quarterback. And it was all gas, no brakes from there. Whelan rushed for 138 yards on 15 carries, with four touchdowns on the night. He threw the ball three times for another 56 yards.

"It’s tough for Carter," Whelan told the Herald-Leader. "He was balling out and had a great fall camp. My O-line blocked great for me.”

If that wasn't enough, Whelan finished third on the team in tackles. From his safety position, Whelan totaled 3 solos, 5 assists, with a tackle for loss of 6 yards.

eCampus.com CEO Matt Montgomery presents Offensive MVP honors to Nash Whelan.

Eagles Fly

North Hardin struck first Friday, orchestrating a 68-yard, 10-play drive to open the game. The Trojans converted three third downs before quarterback Jakylin Kirkland hit the dynamic Rondald Lunz for a 16-yard score.

But the Eagles would quickly answer. On the ensuing possession, LCA marched 58 yards in eight plays before Penix hooked up with junior Sam Pearson for a 25-yard touchdown.

Then the Eagles defense stiffened. LCA held the Trojans offense scoreless over its next seven possessions. North Hardin would punt four times, along with a turnover on downs, before ever finding the end zone offensively again late in the 4th quarter.

Were it not for a controversial 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the game very well might have been put to bed even earlier.

Sophomore linebacker Thomas Sizemore led the Eagles in tackles.

Helmet Stickers

TK - While Whelan found the pay dirt, Tyler King was often the setup man. The senior wideout flipped the field several times, racking up 74 yards on punt returns, with another 16 on kickoffs. Combined with his 74 yards receiving, King totaled 164 all-purpose yards on the night.

Sam Pearson - The junior wideout was lethal on the slant, hauling in six catches for 85 yards and a score. Pearson rushed for another 27 yards and had a big interception.

The Hogs - Much has been made in the offseason about the losses to graduation on the offensive line, and with good reason. LCA graduated four senior linemen that moved on to Division 1 programs. But the Big Blue Wall doesn't rebuild, it reloads. Nick Greer, Matthew Montgomery, Brody Adams, Davis Kerwin and Holden Klaiber got the push up front LCA fans are used to. Five different ball carriers would carry the ball 34 times for 261 yards and five touchdowns.

Sophomore linebacker Bode Daland celebrates a defensive stop.

Super Sophs - Along with Whelan, this team has a collection of sophomores that can flat out play, going back to their junior high days together. And they delivered again on Friday. Greer and Montgomery are part of that re-tooled offensive line. Linebacker Thomas Sizemore led the team in tackles (6 solos, 5 assists). Outside linebacker Bode Darland tallied 4 solos, 3 assists, and was a menace in the backfield all night.

Next Man Up - We've seen this a lot already in this young season. After Mac Darland, the leader of this defense went down, junior linebacker Aiden Lyons stepped up with 3 solos and 3 assists. Several other Eagles made huge contributions in backup roles on both sides of the ball.

eCampus.com - Our title sponsor stepped up big once again for what has quickly become one of the best high school bowl games in the Commonwealth.

Oakley Watkins - Congrats to the new head ball coach, notching the first of many wins in Eagle Valley.

Photos and video courtesy of Becky Jones