News and Announcements
Posted: 2006-08-27
GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. Fenton
Eagles' Running Game Tops Fenton
Article published Aug 27, 2006
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS
FENTON — It wasn't a perfect start, but it was good enough for a win and the Hartland football team will take it.
The Eagles, playing their first game under new head coach Marcus Dukes, rolled out to a 28-0 win over Fenton Friday night.
Hartland is employing a new offense this season, the Wing-T, and while things were shaky at times, the Eagles put up four touchdowns.
"It's always important to start off on the right foot," Dukes said. "This was our first real test and we made some mistakes. We're a little rusty, but the kids played hard and we got a win."
Hartland scored two TDs in the first quarter, the first on a 90-yard run by Drew Mixter.
"In our first series out, we struggled and Fenton played good defense," Dukes said. "Then we found a crease and Mixter went 90 yards. That gave us a cushion and it gave the kids confidence."
Mixter finished with 180 yards on nine carries in the game to lead the offense for the Eagles.
"He got a majority of those yards on three carries, including the 90-yarder," Dukes said. "He ran hard and he got some good blocks and he made them count."
The new offense wasn't without its hiccups, though as the Eagles turned the ball over four times — three fumbles and one interception.
"We were a little rusty and things are new," Dukes said. "We made some mistakes and turned the ball over more than is acceptable. The kids played through the adversity and we got a win."
The bulk of the offense for the Eagles came on the ground as they amassed 247 rushing yards, compared with just 28 yards through the air.
"We struggled a little throwing the ball," Dukes said. "We were able to pound it out on the ground, though. Most offenses want a good balance, but Friday night the run was more successful than the pass and we stuck with it and ground it out."
Drew Mixter runs away from the pack on his way to a 90-yard touchdown against Fenton.