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Eagles get balanced
Daniel Elizondo, Sports Editor - Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Pleasanton tailback Colby Fuselier stiff arms a Southside linebacker to gain positive yards on Friday. Fuselier gained a season high 162 yards on 27 carries to lead the Eagles in a 24-21 win over the Cardinals. (Express photo by Daniel Elizondo)

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Pleasanton’s defense staves off Cardinals last gasp in victory over Southside.

SAN ANTONIO – When Southside quarterback Drake Cannon had enough, in comes the second sack of the evening from senior linebacker Michael Neeley on a fourth down play.

Between Neeley and junior end Tayler Hearn in Cannon’s face all evening, it ultimately saved Pleasanton’s season.

In doing so, Pleasanton’s defense rose to the occasion on Friday at Cardinal Stadium and halted Southside from a comeback in a 24-21 thriller in District 29-4A action.

Pleasanton (2-6, 1-3) lifted its win streak over Southside to 12 straight games in 14 seasons.

While Pleasanton’s defense did its part, offensively, the Eagles put together a balanced attack and jumped to an early lead on the Cardinals defense.

“Our offensive line was one reason we put together a good game,” said Pleasanton Head Coach Tab Dumont. “Colby (Fuselier) made some good, tough runs and gained a lot of yards after contact. When you can do both pass and run, it makes it a lot easier to win.”

Pleasanton put together one of its most productive nights since District 29-4A play began with 314 yards of offense including 172 yards rushing as a team.

Sophomore tailback Colby Fuselier was the workhorse gaining162 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns in the victory. Freshman quarterback Luke Walters got into the action as well, completing 15 of 30 passes for 142 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown. Senior Garret Schuchart caught 10 passes for 81 yards including a 6-yard TD.

Pleasanton opened up the game going three-and-out but on the ensuing kickoff, Pleasanton junior Greg Guerrero forced a perfect hit on Southside return man Kevin Holmes that forced a fumble that was recovered at the Cardinal’s 34-yard line.

The Eagles only first down on the drive was an 18-yard pass from Walters to Schuchart.

Junior kicker Josh Ward booted a season long 45-yard field goal to give Pleasanton a 3-0 lead.

Pleasanton’s first touchdown came on Schuchart’s 6-yard pass from Walters with 39 seconds remaining until the second quarter to extend the Eagles’ lead 10-0.

Walters completed four passes on the drive that began on the Pleasanton 31-yard line. On first-and-10, Walters hooked up with Garrett McDermott on a 30-yard circus catch and then on the next play, completed a 6-yard pass to the senior receiver.

After forcing a punt on the next Southside drive, Pleasanton extended the lead to 17-0 on a 23-yard run by Fuselier with over nine minutes remaining in the first half.

The two teams exchanged punts and Southside got on the board making the score 17-7 with a 5-yard run by De’Andre Cunningham going into halftime.

At the start of the third quarter, Southside drove in seven plays and capped the drive with Cunningham’s second touchdown, a 6-yard run to get within three points of the Eagles.

After Southside picked off Walters for the first time, Pleasanton’s defense answered with an interception by Zach Qualls to the Southside 19-yard line. The Eagles were unable to move the ball and an attempted kick by Ward sailed wide left on the 36-yard attempt.

The Eagles took a 24-14 lead near the end of the third quarter on a 16-yard run by Fuselier.

On Southside’s ensuing drive, Hearn picked off Cannon at the Southside 35-yard line and ran back to the Cardinal’s 13-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Walters was picked off in the end zone by Victor Esquivel for a touchback.

Southside drove 80 yards in eight plays and capped the drive on a 42-yard run by Cunningham for a 24-21 score.

Hearn led defensively with 10 tackles including three solo tackles and one for a loss. Neeley finished with nine tackles two quarterback sacks and four quarterback hurries. Michael Gonzales finished with 10 tackles including two unassisted tackles.

Eagle Awards
Red Carpet – Colby Fuselier
MVP Offense – Josh Morales
MVP Defense – Tayler Hearn
MVP Special Teams – Punt Team
Scout Team Off. – JV
Scout Team Def. – JV