Apollo picked up their first win of the season in impressive fashion, dominating from start to finish in a 41-0 home victory over Muhlenberg County. The Eagles’ offensive combo of quarterback Max Johnson and receiver Eli Masterson overwhelmed the Mustangs, and Apollo ran away with the game in the second half as things began to spiral out of control for Muhlenberg.
Apollo (1-4) brought high intensity in the first half and made big plays on both sides of the ball. The offense kicked things off early by scoring on their first drive when Caiden Tutt carried the ball 48 yards into the end zone.
An interception by Brock Burger on the ensuing drive by Muhlenberg (3-2) gave possession back to the Eagles, though they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The Mustangs later missed a chance of their own when their punt hit off the back of an Apollo player and Muhlenberg jumped on the loose ball to retain possession.
The Eagle offense struggled for much of the second quarter but did manage to double their lead. A few negative plays left Apollo facing 4th-and-11, but they converted when Johnson managed to find Landen Bratcher in the end zone to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Eagles’ defense forced another turnover just before halftime by stripping the ball directly out of the hands of a Mustangs’ ball carrier. They added another pair of turnovers in the second half. The defensive effort was a big factor in the win, according to head coach John Edge.
“Defensively we wrapped up and tackled well,” he said. “I mean we didn’t have any missed tackles and that’s a big improvement. Offensively, even though we were kind of slow to get going, everybody was calm and cool and we just really got after it.”
Apollo kicked it into high gear in the second half and went on to score four more times. Masterson had a 50-yard run, and he hauled in a 40-yard pass for touchdowns in the third quarter. In the fourth, Tutt added a 13-yard touchdown and Masterson returned a punt 45 yards to paydirt to finish things off.
“That was my first ever punt return ever,” Masterson said. “I usually do kickoff return, but they put me in there this week, and I try to make plays every time I can no matter where I’m at.”
Edge had praise for Masterson, saying he has been in good form all season despite the team’s record.
“He’s been constant and consistent all year on both sides of the ball,” he said. “That’s why he got those Division 1 offers from Eastern and Morehead. We’re proud of him and proud of our team too.”
This win will serve as a huge confidence booster for the team going forward, Masterson said.
“It’s gonna be us and a couple of other teams in the district that are tied for first,” he said. “I’m proud of the team.”
Apollo will remain home next week when they host Owensboro, which is now a district game on top of a city-county matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
