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MV shut out
Daniel Elizondo, Sports Editor - Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pleasanton WR Garrett McDermott tries to deflect a pass that was intercepted by Troy Stein of Medina Valley. The Panthers picked off four passes from the Eagles in a 40-0 shutout. (Express photo by Gabe Elizondo)

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The depleted Pleasanton Eagles take a hard hit from powerful Panthers.

When it rains it pours.

That’s just what Pleasanton Eagles Head Coach Tab Dumont is feeling these days.

As much as this team has taken the hits as far as injuries and illness, in comes the powerful Medina Valley Panthers – and all of a sudden, it’s a downpour.

Medina Valley (7-1, 4-0 in Dist. 29-4A) took full advantage of the ailing Pleasanton Eagles and handed them a 40-0 shutout in action on Friday at Eagle Stadium.

It was the fifth straight loss for Pleasanton and one of the lowest points in the season since 1992 when the Eagles went 2-8 under former Coach Hank Kotzur.

With three games remaining in the season, Pleasanton (1-6, 0-3) is desperate for a win on Friday when they travel to Southside.

Pleasanton has not lost to the Cardinals since 1995 and hold on to a 12-game win streak. The two teams did not play in 2000 and 2001 seasons. Southside is coming off of a loss to Uvalde 35-26 on Friday.

Four Pleasanton turnovers led to four touchdowns for Medina Valley, one of which ended a good Eagles’ drive to open the game.

A botched pitch and run from Greg Guerrero to Zach Jackson gave the Panthers the ball on the 50-yard line. Four plays later, the Panthers scored on a 5-yard run from Jacob Tucker.

Pleasanton rushed for a low two yards on 17 rushes as a team. It was the lowest rushing total for a team under Dumont. Medina Valley’s defense held Pleasanton to 150 yards of total offense and forced five turnovers including four interceptions.

“When you don’t have a rushing game, you can’t win games,” said Dumont. “I was pleased with our passing game and granted all the interceptions weren’t all the quarterback’s fault, we did make some plays and that gave us some good drives.”

Dumont started Guerrero in the first quarter and switched him out with freshman Luke Walters for most of the first quarter before Walters stayed in to finish the game.

Walters completed 15 of 25 passes for 127 yards and three interceptions.

Garret Schuchart was Walters favorite target, catching nine passes for 87 yards.

Medina Valley relied on its run game, racking up 397 yards on 45 rushes. Danny Freeman rushed for 179 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns on runs of 10 and 26 yards. Tucker finished with 94 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively leading for Pleasanton were Michael Morlock with eight tackles including five solo tackles. Elijiah Engelmann finished with seven tackles, five of which were solo. Michael Neeley finished with eight tackles and Colton Fuselier finished with seven tackles.

Medina Valley took a 26-0 lead at the half.

Southside (2-5, 1-2) defeated Floresville for its only district win heading into Friday.
The last time Pleasanton finished a season with only one win was in 1975.

Eagle Awards
Red Carpet – Luke Walters
MVP Offense – Garret Schuchart
MVP Defense – Elijiah
Engelmann
MVP Special Teams – James Sorola and Zach Jackson
Scout Team Off. – JV
Scout Team Def. - JV