Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
EATON — Behind a dominant defense and a balanced offense, Eaton opened Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division play with a convincing 34-7 win over visiting Oakwood on Friday, Sept. 13.
With the win, Eaton improves to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SWBL Buckeye. Oakwood falls to 2-2 and 0-1.
Eaton’s defense limited the Lumberjacks to less than 200 yards of offense, while only allowing the ‘Jacks to cross midfield just twice the entire game.
Oakwood quarterback Zach Lutz entered as the top passer in the league, but he left the game with an injury on the fourth play of the game.
For Eaton, quarterback Aaron Rogers completed 14-of-20 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
Conner Bach caught seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Gavin Winings had one catch for a 42-yard touchdown and Preston Orr had five catches for 107 yards.
On the ground, Cordis Berard had 49 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
For the game, the Eagles rushed for 94 yards.
Jon Hewitt added field goals of 44 and 48 yards.
After punting on their first possession, Eaton got on the board with a 44-yard field goal with 3:12 left in the opening quarter.
After the defense forced a three and out, Eaton scored on its first play of its next possession, a 33-yard TD from Rogers to Bach for a 10-0 lead with 1:02 left in the first.
Eaton’s defense held once again, stuffing the ‘Jacks on a fake punt early in the second quarter.
One play later, Rogers connected with Winings for a 42-yard touchdown and a 17-0 Eaton lead.
Another defensive stand for Eagles set the offense up with good field position. Eight plays later, Hewitt added a 48-yard field for a 20-0 with 4:25 left in the first half.
Eaton closed out the first half with a 4-yard TD run by Brycen Simpson with 19 seconds left.
The Eagles pushed their lead to 34-0 on the final play of the third quarter on a 3-yard TD run by Berard.
Oakwood scored its lone touchdown with 2:54 left against Eaton’s second team defense.
Eaton will be tested this Friday as they travel to Valley View (2-2, 1-0), a 50-20 winner of Carlisle last week.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
