The Golden Eagle football team started off its 2022 season with a bang defeating #2 (3A) West Delaware, 31-14. 

West Delaware got on the board first, 6-0, after both teams went three and out to start the game.

As the first quarter wound down, Quarterback Bryce Rudiger, ‘23, used his legs for a big gain to set up the Eagles in the red zone.

Then, the first play of the second quarter, running back Kenny Petraitis, ‘24, punched it in to make it 7-6 Wahlert. 

After the Eagles pinned the Hawks deep into their own territory, they forced them to punt leading to a JP Weber, ‘23, field goal to make it 10-6 with 8:52 to go in the second quarter.

Soon after, the Eagles failed to stop the Hawks on fourth and 5 in the red zone as they ran it for a touchdown to make it 14-10 West Delaware. 

The story of the night was forcing turnovers. The Eagles had four interceptions on defense. Owen Wallace, ‘23, and Jarren Gille, ‘24, got their hands on the ball, and Seamus Crahan, ‘23, came away with two interceptions on the night. 

“Coach Finley had us prepared well for their offense, and I watched a lot of film so I was just sitting on those,” said Crahan.

The very next play, Crahan made an impact on offense. Rudiger hit him deep over the middle for a touchdown to make it 17-14 Wahlert. 

After, Wahlert forced another West Delaware punt, and Ryan Brosius, ‘23,  made them pay. He returned the kick 56 yards to the house to make it 24-14 Wahlert.

“Before the snap Jarren told me the left side was wide open, so I was hoping to run that way. Turned out I got a good amount of blocks and took off,” said Brosius.

Brosius wasn’t done. He ran in a touchdown on offense to ice the game for the Eagles to make the score 31-14. And that score ended up being the final. 

Coach Jamie Marshall’s squad starts 1-0 for the first time since 2020, and he was proud of his team’s performance to start the season. 

“It was great to see all the hard work pay off in the opening game,.” said Marshall.

The Golden Eagles will take on Assumption Friday night at the Rock Bowl. If the Golden Eagles play like they did last night, they can give the Knights a run for their money.