The Pleasanton Express Online Edition

Current Weather

Complete Forecast

Lotto Results

Online Poll

Harlandale smokes Eagles
Daniel Elizondo, Sports Editor - Wednesday, November 04, 2009

	Email story to a friend
	Printer friendly version

Pleasanton worn down by Indians bruising run game.

After containing Southside one week prior, the Pleasanton Eagles defense did its best to carry that momentum on Friday.

But the Harlandale Indians needed just one momentum changer – and that was Trenton Miller.

Miller rambled and bruised his way to 304 yards on 38 carries with one touchdown in a 31-14 win over Pleasanton at Eagle Stadium.

It was the seventh loss for Pleasanton (2-7) and the fourth loss in District 29-4A setting up the Eagles’ final season game against arch rival Floresville (2-7, 0-5) on Friday at Eschenburg Field in Floresville.

“Both of our teams have run into some bad luck this season,” said Pleasanton Head Coach Tab Dumont.

“They are in an identical situation that we are – sitting here at the bottom of the pile in the district. I can’t ever remember this game taking place without at least one of us going to the playoffs.”

Pleasanton defeated Floresville last season 21-14 in a last second effort. Then, Floresville had already qualified for the playoffs and was playing the Eagles in a meaningless game. It was the first win for Pleasanton over Floresville since 2005.

Harlandale took a 10-point lead on the Eagles at the six minute and 45 second mark of the first quarter. But Pleasanton got the break it had been needing when senior receiver Garrett McDermott scooped up a fumble that was stripped from senior Garret Schuchart after a 15-yard catch. The ball bounced up perfectly into McDermott’s hands who raced 64 yards for the touchdown, cutting into the lead 10-7.

In Harlandale’s next two possession, the Eagles’ defense took over sacking Indians quarterback Jonathan Silva three times, once from Tayler Hearn and twice by Steven Mendez. In all, Pleasanton recorded seven sacks on Silva, four of which were by Mendez.

Pleasanton’s offense took over at the Harlandale 30-yard line after a muffed punt to open the second quarter.

After two incomplete passes by quarterback Luke Walters, the freshman found Schuchart open for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Josh Ward’s extra point kick put Pleasanton ahead 14-10.

But Harlandale responded with an 11-play drive that was capped by a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Silva for the 17-14 lead.

“We had our chances and our effort was good,” said Dumont. “I could tell that we were playing for something on Friday. And that’s all I can ask. When the effort is there, at least you are giving the team a chance.”

Harlandale took a 24-14 lead near the end of the second quarter on a reverse option pass from receiver Geoffrey Curtin to receiver Taylor Hudson for the 35-yard touchdown pass.

Pleasanton’s defense staved off Harlandale until midway through the fourth quarter when Miller busted open a 42-yard run for a touchdown to cap the scoring.

Pleasanton sophomore Colby Fuselier led the Eagles in rushing with 91 yards on 11 carries. Walters completed 14 of 31 passes for 151 yards and no interceptions. Schuchart led all receivers with 99 yards on six receptions.

Mendez led the Eagles’ defense with 19 tackles including eight solo tackles. Hearn finished with 14 tackles and Zach Qualls finished with 11 tackles.

Eagle Awards
Red Carpet – Steven Mendez
MVP Offense – Garret Schuchart
MVP Defense – Zach Qualls
MVP Special Teams – Josh Ward & Tayler Hearn
Scout Team Off. – JV
Scout Team Def. – JV