WEST POINT – Spring football ended Friday evening for the West Point Warriors and Vinemont Eagles with a jamboree matchup.
Vinemont gained an 8-7 halftime lead, but West Point adjusted during the second half by pulling away from the Eagles 31-8.
West Point had a slight edge in total offense through halftime, 170 yards to 148 for the visitors. Vinemont was able to overcome a fumble inside the West Point 10 and come back with an impressive 15-play series that covered 70 yards and sent them on top when the contest reached intermission.
But 17 third-quarter points by West Point on three possessions turned the game the Warriors' direction. Field position enabled the Warriors to score touchdowns on drives of 56 and 29 yards then move the ball into field goal range for Tristan Skinner to convert from 39 yards out.
West Point got an insurance touchdown inside the final 4:00 with reserves getting a chance to display their skills on a pleasant night for a spring football game.
Coach Don Farley's Warriors struggled in holding on to the football early. They lost possession on the second play from scrimmage with Vinemont taking over at the West Point 45. The Eagles moved it to the 28, but turned the ball back to the Warriors on downs.
As the second quarter began, the Eagles moved the ball from their 43 to inside the West Point red zone. Quarterback Garrett Boland had consecutive gains of 14 yards and threw a six-yard pass to Cody Stewart that gained another first down.
Deke Wright ran the ball inside the 10 off left tackle, was hit and lost possession. Linebacker Alex Hernandez pounced on it for the Warriors with 7:47 to play in a scoreless second period.
The Warriors got out of trouble thanks to the running of Cameron Moore. Moore ripped off six carries for 53 yards in the 92-yard march. Another key play was a 32-yard swing pass from Rylan Jones to Brandon Farley. The drive ended when Moore scored off left guard from the four. Skinner booted the extra point and the home side had a 7-0 lead.
Vinemont showed poise to come back after the West Point TD as Boland was getting good yardage on a series of runs, Wright was blasting through and passes of 18 and 10 yards to Stewart and Seth Campbell had the ball inside the 10 with less than a minute to play in the half.
The Eagles ran an option right with Stewart taking it to the end zone. A two-point run off right guard by Boland sent the Eagles to the locker room in front by the score of 8-7.
After Vinemont punted on its first series of the third, West Point zoomed downfield with Moore getting free on a 35-yard run to the end zone. The kick from Skinner extended the advantage to 14-8 with 7:40 showing on the clock.
Vinemont lost the ball on its next possession and the Warriors converted the miscue into points. The Warriors took over at the Eagles' 29 and needed just 33 seconds to score again. The touchdown was on a 13-yard run around right end from Peyton Jones. Skinner nailed the conversion and West Point was in front 21-8.
Another series for the Eagles didn't last long. The Warriors were back with the ball at their 44 and drove it into scoring range as Skinner converted from 39 yards. He was one of two in field goal tries on the night.
At the end of the third quarter, West Point led Vinemont 24-8.
With 5:43 to play in the game, Vinemont defensive lineman Joey Reeves was injured and had to be taken off the field via stretcher. The game was delayed for 15 minutes. Reeves reportedly suffered a concussion and was released from Cullman Regional Medical Center after the game ended.
The final score for the Warriors came on a five-yard run by Michael Yates with 3:58 to play to end a 50-yard drive. Skinner tacked on his fourth extra point and the score was now 31-8.
West Point had 338 yards of total offense with Moore rushing for 96 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. He also caught a pass for seven yards. Jones was five of five in the passing game for 64 yards, Farley caught four passes for 57 yards to lead the receivers.
Boland rushed the ball for 75 yards, threw for 35 to compile 110 yards in his playing time as the Vinemont quarterback. The Eagles finished with 181 yards, but had 33 after halftime with backup personnel.
West Point will kick off the 2016 season at home August 19 vs. Hamilton. Vinemont's season opener is the 25th of August in a visit to James Shabel Stadium for a meeting with Good Hope.
