Eagles running back Ayden Alexander collected 76 yards on 17 carries during Cold Springs' 22-8 loss to Sulligent Friday night. (Nick Griffin for The Cullman Tribune)
BREMEN – There was a healthy turnout in Cold Springs on a cold, drizzly Friday night to see the Eagles fight for a playoff spot on senior night, but a tough second half led to a 22-8 loss to Sulligent to eliminate Cold Springs from postseason contention.
The Eagles started the night with a nearly flawless opening drive that was capped off with a 3-yard touchdown run from senior running back Calvin McNabb that put them up 8-0 just a few minutes into the game. Unfortunately for Cold Springs, that was the only time the Eagles found the end zone all night.
The Blue Devils answered the early score from the Eagles with a 39-yard touchdown run toward the end of the opening quarter to cut the lead to 8-6. Both defenses forced punts throughout the second quarter and the Cold Springs lead held going into halftime.
The second half belonged to Sulligent, starting with a devastating 15-play, nine-minute scoring drive to open the third quarter and take a 14-8 lead. Cold Springs’ offense did not see the field again until there were less than three minutes remaining in the quarter and that possession ended with a turnover on downs. In fact, all of the Eagles’ second-half possessions resulted in turnovers on downs, allowing the Blue Devils to maintain their lead and pull away.
Just a few seconds into the fourth quarter, Sulligent scored on another explosive run, this time from 47-yards out to go up 22-8 and put the game away.
McNabb led the Eagles in rushing, going for 88 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while running back Ayden Alexander finished just behind him with 76 yards on 17 carries. Cold Springs outgained the Blue Devils by 50 yards in the first half, but the Eagles were outgained 109-49 in the second half and had trouble getting off the field defensively as well as moving the chains on the offensive side.
Cold Springs moves to 4-5 on the season with the loss and will finish 2018 on the road next week against the rival (2-7) Vinemont Eagles.
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