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Sax Plays a Mean Tune in Vilonia Victory

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

While running back James Sax was pounding at Harrison’s gut, defensive back Zach Mitchell broke the Goblins hearts Friday night.

Sax, a sophomore, rushed for 175 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns and keyed the Eagles’ ball-control offense in a 30-10 victory over Harrison in the teams’ 5A-West Conference opener at Centennial Bank Field at Phillip Weaver Stadium.

“It was all the offensive line; they took care of me,” Sax said.

The Eagles (3-1, 1-0) gobbled up four turnovers (three interceptions), the last a spectacular one.

After stopping Vilonia on fourth and short, Harrison drove to the 10 with the clock ticking down. Mitchell intercepted Ryan Miller and returned it 101 yards for the punctuating touchdown, putting the final would-be tackler down with a stiff arm.

“I caught the ball and thought, ‘I gotta run,’” Mitchell said in a radio interview. “Our whole defense threw some amazing blocks. That stiff arm I’ve had since the ninth grade.”

Drew Knowles halted another Harrison drive with a fumble recovery on the Vilonia 2. Taylor Sweeten turned back Harrison with an interception with 3:09 left in the first half with Vilonia clinging to a 14-10 advantage.

The Eagles began pounding at the Harrison defense on their first drive. Trey Lewis capped it with a 4-yard run with 7:23 left in the first quarter. Miller, who generated most of the Goblins’ 230 yards of offense, led the Goblins back connecting with Jonathan Johnson on a short touchdown pass that tied the game at 7 with 1:07 left in the first quarter.

Harrison then took a 10-7 lead with 9:21 left in the half on a 44-yard field goal by John Tolliver.

Vilonia came right back with a drive of its on and Sax’s 9-yard run gave the Eagles a 14-10 lead with 5:55 left in the half.

Dustin Hawkins helped Vilonia break away when he recovered on onside kick after the second-half kickoff. Sax broke for a 37-yard touchdown that gave Vilonia a 21-10 lead with 10:51 left in the third period.

A field goal by Griffin Nelson upped that advantage to 24-10 going into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles consumed much of that quarter with their ball-control offense.

Vilonia begins a two-game road swing Friday at Siloam Springs.


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