Roberts carries Eagles past Lions

WINGATE — Bald Eagle Area came into the season wanting to “stuff the stat sheets” on the offensive side of the ball.

In the first three games played by the Eagles, they have eclipsed 50 on the scoreboard twice. 

This was not the case as Chestnut Ridge came to visit Sept. 16. The matchup between the Lions and the Eagles had to go into overtime to decide a winner. But, BEA came out on the winning side of things, 3-0.

The Eagle defense played a very stagnant game, collecting three interceptions and pouncing on two fumbles.

The up-tempo Eagles offense was not as explosive as normal and the Lions did not back down to challenge the experienced Eagle attack.

The score was 0-0 for four quarters — 48 minutes of scoreless football. 

During the opening quarter, it was full of punts and turnover on downs, both teams unable to get their offenses going.

The Eagles had a chance to score when they were at the Lions’ 8-yard line, but the heavy blitzing Lions defense made the Eagles turn the ball over on downs with only 36 seconds remaining in the first half.

Bald Eagle Area needed someone to step up in the game and they found someone. Sophomore Blake Roberts had a game he may never forget, intercepting two passes (one coming with only 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter) and knocking down the game-winning field goal in overtime to win.

After four scoreless quarters of football, the Lions and Eagles needed to go into overtime to establish a winner.

The Lions from Chestnut Ridge had the ball first in overtime, but after an interception gathered by Eagles defensive back Gage McClenahan, it was the Eagles’ turn to try to score.

After being stalled on three plays, the game weighed on the right toe of Roberts. He watched the Eagles offense unable to get into the end zone as he warmed up his leg on the sideline in preparation for the game-winning field goal.

“I told myself, ‘I need to get this,’” Roberts said.

He drilled a 26-yard field goal that cut between the posts to give the Eagles a 3-0 victory.

After the field goal when through, Roberts was bombarded by his teammates.

“I just starting running; it was crazy,” Roberts said after he watched it sail through the uprights.

The Eagles were not the only ones who were excited.

Head coach Jesse Nagle was at the bottom of the pile, Nagle even had “battle wounds” of cuts on his arm and head.

“That’s what football is all about,” Nagle said about the excitement of the game.

The Eagles did not need their high-powered offensive attack during the game. Instead, their defense came to the rescue, led by a sophomore who wanted to make an impact.

The Eagles visit Central on Friday, Sept. 23.