Eagles get handled by the Hawks

They'd both waited a year for this matchup. Seemingly, only one team showed up ready to play though.

South Cobb suffered its first, and worst, loss of the season to Hillgrove Friday night. Falling behind 7-0 after the opening drive, the Eagles never regained their composure.   

The Hawks covered half the field in two pass plays in the opening drive and capped off the drive with a score from Kenyan Drake. He finished the night with 196 yards on 18 carries and 3 touchdowns. There, apparently, was more where that came from.

The Eagles looked lethargic in their play the entire night –with the exception of running back Chris Beck's performance (156 yards on 31 carries with 0 TDs). Beck currently leads the county in rushing with 507 yards in his first four games. 

There were several very athletic plays, to include two one-handed grabs by Eagles Receiver Gary Jones and the lone interception by Safety Brandon Watson. Aside from that, play (as well as Eagle Spirit) was relatively flat the entire game. The defense spent a significant amount of time on the field, but that happens when four interceptions and six fumbles occur. Nevertheless, they weren't able to stop the Hawks – in the air or on the ground. It was a long night…

Chris Simon, Eagles wide receiver, scored the lone touchdown for his team and kicker Carlos Saldana was able to convert on the extra point. 

Eagles Coach Ed Koester was unavailable for comment, but his body language said it all. As did the body language of the team after the game. Beck was one of the last Eagles players to leave the field, shoulders shrugged and head down in disbelief at the beating he and his team had just taken.

The defeat to the No. 8 team in the state was a tough one and the bye next week may do some good. However, the Eagles' mettle will be tested by the state's No. 5 team McEachern, who blanked Campbell high school 55-0 on Friday.