Battling harsh weather conditions, the Red Devils run game was able to wear out a pesky Apollo squad 28-6. The two-headed monster of Evan Hampton and Tee Green rushed for 272 of the team’s 281 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
“We knew that scoring was going to be at a premium in this one because of the conditions – the wind and the rain,” Owensboro head coach Jay Fallin said. “That makes it extremely adverse conditions for trying to win a ball game. We knew we would have to play great defense, make a play or two on special teams, and score when we had our opportunities… And that is exactly how it went.”
Ball security was the difference maker in this one, with Apollo having multiple bad snaps that led to derailed drives and even a Red Devils touchdown.
The Eagles received the opening kickoff and looked to establish their run game immediately. QB Maxwell Johnson picked up eight yards on the ground, before picking up another 15 after an aforementioned bad snap. But a holding penalty and a tackle for a loss derailed the drive. A short punt allowed Owensboro to start with the ball on their own 39.
Hampton ripped off a long rushing touchdown on the first play, but a holding penalty negated it. From there, QB Trevor DeLacey and the offense marched down the field, but facing a 4th and 11 deep in Apollo’s territory, they turned it over.
With the ball on their own 30, Niles Board showcased his own rushing ability, running it to Owensboro’s five-yard line for 60 yards. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they were unable to capitalize. Facing 4th and goal from the 10, Johnson ran it to the 1 before being stopped short and turning it over on downs with 1:33 left in the opening quarter.
Apollo also struggled in the red zone all night, going 1-3, including coming away empty twice from within five yards.
Backed up to their own 1, Hampton gave his team some breathing room with a 19-yard run. The drive stalled once they reached their own 40 and were forced to punt. Going three and out, the Eagles quickly got the ball back after recovering a Hampton fumble at their own 48. Facing a third and four on Owensboro’s six, Johnson threw a 50/50 ball to his receiver, but defensive back Kahlil Shemwell picked him off.
With 48.6 seconds left in the half, Hampton scored his first of two rushing touchdowns, this one from 11 yards out to give his team a 7-0 lead.
“We kept telling the guys to be patient…,” Fallin said. “We felt that late if we could weather the storm, we could get a few big special teams plays, get some big defensive plays, we would put ourselves to win with our running game. And that’s what happened.”
With 2:17 left in the third quarter, Owensboro doubled their lead after recovering a ball that was snapped over the Apollo punter’s head in the endzone. Apollo cut the lead to eight on their following drive – Johnson found Jamison Brown for a 13-yard touchdown. Having missed the extra point, Apollo trailed 14-6 with 10:37 remaining in the game.
The Red Devils scored on their next two possessions, with Hampton and Green each running it in from one yard out to go up 28-6. Trailing by three scores with just under five minutes left, Apollo turned it over on their final possession and Owensboro kneeled out the clock to end it.
For the Eagles, Johnson completed 11 of 19 passes for 112 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. Board rushed for over 100 yards and at times, the Red Devils had no answer for him.
“I have to give Niles a lot of credit,” Fallin said. “He’s a great player and he has come a long way in a year.”
Heading into tonight, Apollo has been unable to beat the Red Devils since 2017, with the majority of their recent matchups being over by halftime.
“For the Eagles to believe they can come over here tonight, in these conditions, and fight the way they did, I just have to give John Edge and his kids a lot of credit. I am very impressed with them.”
