Victory eludes No. 12 Monsters in Ephraim

By Brian Wright
Sports Editor
Published on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:19 AM MST

E.J. Woods was just trying to make a play for the Monsters. Unfortunately for Eastern Arizona College, it ended badly.

EAC trailed Snow College 30-24 with about 2:30 left in the game, and the Badgers faced a 4th and 31 from their own 15.

They punted the ball from the edge of the goal line, and it was blocked by the Monsters.

Monsters freshman Tommy Alexander lowers his head to pick up extra yardage in Thatcher on Oct. 3. Eastern led No. 7 Snow College 17-16 at halftime Saturday in Ephraim, Utah, but swallowed a bitter pill after losing 30-24 to the Badgers. Photo by Brian Wright

Woods, a linebacker who transferred from UCLA, went to pick up the ball but was hit. Because he touched the ball, it was ruled a fumble, and the Badgers took over with a first down on the change of possession.

The Monsters were out of timeouts, and Snow ran the ball a few times to run out the clock for a 30-24 win.

The loss was a big blow for the Monsters, who could’ve taken over first place in the WSFL because New Mexico Military upset No. 5 Arizona Western.

Eastern’s passing game had big success with two long touchdowns.

The first was a 42-yard pass from Damon Wicker to halfback Steve Jackson in the first quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Cody Von Appen unleashed a bomb to halfback Wayne Jacobs, who burned the Snow secondary for an 87-yard score.

The defense was up and down for the Monsters. They pressured Snow quarterback Quinn Mecham and sacked him four times but also missed opportunities by dropping three potential interceptions.

Mecham was 15-25 for 214 yards with two touchdowns passing and had a rushing score.

Despite the 30 points, Snow was held 107 yards below its season average on offense.

One area that made a big difference (and always does for Snow) was special teams. The Badgers’ average starting field position was their own 37, while the Monsters’ average start was on their own 23.

Eastern (5-2, 2-2) finished with 217 yards rushing and 346 total yards to 313 for Snow (7-1, 5-0). Chris Long was the leading rusher for the Monsters with 77 yards on 15 carries. Von Appen added 45 yards on four carries.

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Comments

3 comment(s)

skip henderson wrote on Oct 26, 2009 9:58 PM:

" Uhm. Special teams?
If you look at the problems for this season they point to special teams.

Either the coach does not care or does not know how to improve here.

How about practice. There is a bad snap, usually, and there is no plan, just a bunch of kids running around looking for a way out. If you are not going to develop the snap, develop plan B. Coaching 101.

Otherwise, a pretty impressive effort by the talent. "

Rob C. wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:43 PM:

" Once again, Eastern comes up short. This is a far too often occurance.
Until Eastern begins beating the Snow College Badgers on an annual basis, EAC will be a second level junior college football program. Their national ranking is more a novelty than anything else. They are what they are, and that's ok. They are fun too watch, but don't expect to see a national championship anytime soon. "

skip henderson wrote on Oct 21, 2009 5:50 PM:

" Nice try Monsters.
Brian, you are right, Special teams is the difference. Look to the special teams coach.
No time outs? Look to the coaches.
Enough with the trickery. Fix the basics. "

WRITE A COMMENT

READER COMMENTS
* Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.

* Be relevant. Keep your comments pertinent to the story that is being discussed.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Eastern Arizona Courier is not liable for messages from third parties. IP addresses can be subpoenaed and your identity established by individuals who have been hurt by your comments.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity: You can be prosecuted for identity theft.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in www.eacourier.com reader comments represent the individual's own views and not those of the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Courier does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than Eastern Arizona Courier spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!