EudoraNews.com

There was thunder and lightning in the area Friday night, and though many say that there is a meteorological explanation, anyone who was at Laws Field knows better.

Eudora employed a lightning-quick offense and crushing, thundering defense to defeat Spring Hill 49-14.

The win improved the Cardinals' record to 7-0.

Spring Hill's offensive game plan was to throw the ball early and often. It compiled 210 yards passing on 47 attempts on the night, 27 of those attempts in the first half alone.

The aerial assault caught the Eudora defense by surprise at first, and it looked as though Spring Hill would march down the field to a score early.

The number of pass attempts alone were a surprise to Eudora coach Gregg Webb.

"I've been at this for awhile, and that's more than I think I've ever seen anyone throw the ball," he said. "If they (Spring Hill) ever get a running game, they're going to be pretty dangerous."

Indeed, some teams use the pass to set up the run, but Spring Hill was unable to do so, only running the ball 22 times for an astonishing 15 yards.

Eudora's Logan Alvarez set the defensive tone on Spring Hill's first offensive play of the game, sacking the Broncos' quarterback for a 12-yard loss. The sack would be the first of many for a Cardinals defensive unit that compiled seven sacks, with Alvarez racking up four.

Alvarez had a humble explanation for his outstanding defensive performance.

"I was just trying to get containment," he said.

After a three-and-out by Spring Hill on the opening drive, the Cardinals took over at the Broncos' 51-yard line and put together a five-play, 49-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 15-yard rushing score by Chad Krutz.

They never relinquished the lead.

Spring Hill drove into Eudora territory on their next four possessions, but almost as if rehearsed, Eudora picked off passes to end each drive, with Evan Cleveland, Christian Richardson, Chase Rust and Matthew Abel each getting an interception.

The offense then turned each of those turnovers into touchdowns, scoring 28 unanswered points in the first half.

The Eudora running game piled up 319 yards and the team ran with confidence, allowing it to convert numerous third and fourth downs. The three-headed monster of Travis Clarke (13 carries for 97 yards), Ryan Fisher (9 carries for 173 yards and 1 touchdown) and Matthew Abel (3 receptions for 50 yards and 2 scores, plus three carries for 18 yards and another touchdown) carved up the Spring Hill defense at will.

Webb said his team kept the Broncos guessing by deploying multiple formations. It kept Spring Hill's defense off balance.

"We have some awful good skill kids, but what people don't understand is what defenses don't get if you move people around," he said. "It changes completely what they (defenses) do. We have kids all over the place that need to get touches. A lot of it depends on what the defense gives us."

Quarterback Brynnen Webb also had an efficient night, going 5-for-10 with 90 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a score.

Though the Cardinals are unbeaten and won by 35 points, Webb still sees room for improvement.

"We're always trying to improve because all of the other teams will improve," he said.

Another concern for Webb is his team's health.

"It's at the point in the season where just about everybody has some bumps and bruises," he said. "With platooning our kids, we're trying to make sure that we stay healthy a little while longer.

The Cardinals look to remain undefeated on the season, go 2-0 in district play and all-but sew up a spot in the postseason playoffs this Friday against rival De Soto.

De Soto is 4-3 on the season and coming off a 35-7 loss to Baldwin on the other side of Eudora's four-team district.

"We don't take De Soto lightly," Webb said. "We've watched them on film and they're a scary team. But our goal is higher than De Soto."