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The annual game between the Northland Eagles and Hill City Hornets is a highly anticipated match-up. Both squads want to win the game versus their closest rival, not only to better their record but to have "bragging rights".

The 2014 edition had both teams struggling a bit coming in as Northland had a 1-3 record, while the Hornets were winless on the season at 0-4.

The first half was closely fought, with both teams trading scoring drives early on. The Hornets would score first, and held an 8-0 advantage midway through the 1st quarter. The Eagles would take the ball and drive down the field using a solid running attack that ended with a 6 yard TD scamper by Cooper Kovall, as time expired in the quarter. The conversion attempt was no good and the Eagles had clawed back to within two at 8-6.

The Hornets next drive would end in a TD of their own and push the lead back to eight at 14-6 with 6:58 left before halftime.

The Eagles would then use the running game and marched 63 yards down to the Hornet 2. The Hornet defense stiffened and stopped the Eagles on three straight plays as the half ended, with the score still at 14-6. What may have been a tie score at half, and the Eagles having the momentum, ended up being a big boost for the Hornets as they left the field.

Receiving the ball to start the second half, the Eagles offense never could get on track as the Hornet defense kept them bottled up. Meanwhile, the Hornet offense scored 26 points in the quarter to blow open the game 40-6 by the end of the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter had the Hornets tack on another score before the Eagles would score on a TD pass from Marcus Woods to Dustin Sepin, the 2 point conversion would be stopped and the final score would end up 48-12 in favor of the Hornets.

The Eagles did play some guys in different positions in the game, some by design, some through necessity, after injuries caused some lineup shuffling. This will help gain valuable experience as they continue to prepare for the playoffs, when they hope to be playing their best football of the season.

Disappointed with the loss, the team played well the first half, but sometimes when one wheel falls off the cart, they seem to all come off, as what happened in the 3rd quarter.

Coach Shepard after the game commented, "We have no excuses we got beat plain and simple. But I do not want to hear that these boys played with no heart. They stuck together as a team and as hard as it was to watch, they never quit and gave nothing but heart. These boys work their butts off all week and we just haven't gotten over the hump to perform at the level we want yet." Asked about the status of some injured players, Shepard replied, "We have about a half dozen guys with injuries right now. Hopefully all are cleared to go this week, but if not, we will get any of the replacements plenty of reps to get them as prepared as they can be."

The Eagles will regroup and get back at it as they host the Nevis Tigers on Friday, October 3 at 7:00. It should be a fun week for all students as it is Homecoming Week with events scheduled daily.

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