VINEMONT, Ala. – The Vinemont Eagles kicked off region play Friday night when they hosted the Midfield Patriots, and despite a strong push in the second half, the Eagles fell at home 42-30.
Despite the loss, Vinemont Head Coach Stephen Robinson feels like his team found something to build on in the second half.
“We thought we could win the game, but we didn’t really believe we could win the till right before halftime,” said Robinson, “And that’s how we played the second half, we dug ourselves a hole and it was too late. We’ve got to have a better start.”
Midfield received the opening kickoff and quickly went ahead 6-0. Vinemont was unable to convert on fourth down to keep its drive alive and five plays later, the Patriots extended their lead to 14-0 with 4:57 remaining in the first quarter. A pick six added to the Patriots lead with 3:06 still remaining in the opening quarter, giving them a 20-0 advantage.
With Midfield backed up deep in its own territory, the Patriots busted off a long run on third down to extend the lead to 28-0 midway through the second quarter. Dallin Dinkle answered back with a 6-yard touchdown run of his own, cutting the lead to 28-8 with 2:47 until halftime. Midfield was content with running clock and going to the locker room with a 20-point cushion at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, the Eagles failed to convert on fourth down, but the defense stepped up to force a three-and-out. After a lengthy drive, Dinkle found his way into the end zone with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 28-14 after the failed 2-point conversion. Midfield answered right back, scoring in four plays to give the Patriots a 36-14 advantage heading to the fourth quarter. Dinkle finished the game 141 yards and two touchdowns for Vinemont
The Eagles second drive of the fourth quarter resulted in a 3-yard touchdown by Brodie Curvin, Curvin also converted the try for two, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 36-22 with 4:15 remaining in the game. Vinemont forced a punt, which was downed at the 2-yard line. Disaster struck as miscommunication in the backfield resulted in a fumble recovery and a touchdown for Midfield with 1:37 remaining in the game that extended the Patriot lead to 42-22 but Vinemont wasn’t finished in the game. Curvin, finished the game with 87 yards and two touchdowns and rumbled 40 yards on his way into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night with only seven seconds left in the game, giving you a final of Midfield 42, Vinemont 30.
The Eagles are now 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in the region with another big game coming up next week. Vinemont will travel to Hanceville next Friday for another region matchup against the Bulldogs.
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