Football: Suring edged by Gibraltar

Stuart has another big game on ground for Eagles
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

Updated: 11:40 p.m., 10/27

SURING — Suring came up on the wrong end of a 30-28 playoff matchup against Gibraltar on Friday.

Logan Stuart had another monster game on the ground for second-seeded Suring. The senior carried the ball 34 times, totaling 223 rushing yards and all four of the team’s touchdowns.

All the other Eagles combined for just 49 yards of offense.

Third-seeded Gibraltar scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 16-0 lead.

Suring turned the ball over three times in the first half, but its defense only surrendered the two scores.

“We made too many mistakes obviously is what cost us the game,” said Stuart. “We knew we could still compete and win if we cleared those mistakes up in the second half, but we didn’t limit those mistakes enough.”

Suring cut the deficit in half when Stuart scored a 9-yard rushing touchdown and then the team converted on a two-point pass attempt just before halftime.

The team’s each scored once in the third quarter, with Suring’s coming on a 2-yard Stuart run. The Eagles two-point run attempt failed, leaving the team with an eight-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.

Suring scored two touchdowns in the fourth, but another failed two-point conversion paired with a final Gibraltar touchdown was too much to overcome.

Stuart scored on a 12-yard run for the first score, but the two-point pass conversion failed.

After Gibraltar scored its final touchdown to go up 30-20, Suring's Dequez Sepulveda returned the ensuing kickoff to the Gibraltar 5-yard line, setting up Stuart's final touchdown. Stuart scored on a 1-yard run, and Suring connected on a two-point conversion pass to get within two points, but the team eventually ran out of time.

The Eagles ended the game with the ball, getting to the Gibraltar 6-yard line but failing to get into the end zone.

Suring caps the year with an 8-2 record, with both losses coming to Gibraltar.

"The team fought until the very end and left everything on the field," said Suring coach Mitch Taylor. "Even though the result didn't turn out the way we wanted, it showed the resolve and commitment that these gentlemen put forth throughout the season. I am very proud of these players and how they came together as a team and a family. We had a lot of adversity thrown at us this year, but one thing is for certain, they never quit and gave it their all."

“Even though we lost, you can’t take away the remarkable season we had in the first year of 8-man,” said Stuart. “I couldn’t be prouder of my team and I have a forever bond with my teammates.”

Gibraltar 0 16 6 8

Suring 0 8 6 14

Second quarter

G: Brandon Stillman 12-yard pass from Luke Steebs (Steebs run)

G: Alex Laughlin 1-yard pass from Steebs (Sam Lindenberg pass from Steebs)

S: Logan Stuart 9-yard run (Dequez Sepulveda pass from Jayden Geniesse)

Third quarter

G: Laughlin 66-yard pass from Steebs (pass failed)

S: Stuart 2-yard run (run failed)

Fourth quarter

G: Lindenberg 11-yard pass from Steebs (Lindenberg run)

S: Stuart 12-yard run (run failed)

S: Stuart 1-yard run (Duncan Breed pass from Geniesse)

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