The 2017 season began this evening for the Avon Eagles in a very unfamiliar place. The outcome, however, was all too familiar.
QB Ryan Maloy hooked up with WR Chris Mullins on a skinny post that Mullins took to the house with 0:26 remaining giving the Eagles a hard fought 20-16 victory over the stunned Merritt Island Mustangs on Thursday night.
On a overcast but hot evening in Kissimmee Florida, Avon overcame a number of first half miscues and uncharacteristic penalties, and were fortunate to be down only 9-0 at the half.
The game was played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Kissimmee adjacent to Disney World.
The first half was a defensive battle for both teams. Yards were at a premium, although Avon did manage a sustained drive of 62 yards on their first possession only to miss a 47-yard FG attempt.
Following a pair of three-and-outs for both teams, and a missed chip shot FG for the Mustangs, Merritt Island scored a safety as the snap on a punt was high and out of the end zone. After the free kick, Merritt marched 45 yards in eight plays capped off by a John Jones one-yard run, making the score 9-0.
Avon, who deferred in the first half, received the ball in the second and quickly marched 65 yards in 10 plays only to miss another short FG wide right. After a defensive hold and a shanked punt by Merritt, the Eagles took advantage of the short field and Maloy scored on a 3rd and 14 from 19 yards out. Score after 3, Merritt Island 9-6
The fireworks, however, were about to start. The 4th quarter was much like the early part of the game, physical and chippy, that’s when Mustang RB Saquon Walton took a handoff shook a few tackles and rambled 56 yards and was stopped at the one. One play later was the biggest play of the game, Walton took a handoff and the ball was shaken loose and recovered by Avon in the end zone for a touchback.
Avon knew they dodged a bullet and they took advantage. On another critical 3rd down, RB Nick Perusek went to the house on a 62-yard run with 2:40 to go and gave Avon their first lead at 13-9. It was not over yet.
The Mustangs promptly took the ensuing kickoff and went on a 55-yard scoring drive of their own, a one-yard run by QB Mike Moss, took back the lead at 16-13.
But, as was evident last season, the Eagles had time left and a chance, 1:37 is an eternity in football and a beautifully orchestrated drive culminated in the game winner from Maloy to Mullins.
Avon now returns home to face the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs on the road next Friday night, Sept. 1, then the big one, the Home Opener vs arch rival Avon Lake on Sept. 8.
Scoring Recap:
MI- Team safety- Ball snapped through endzone
MI- Jones 1 run, conversion good
Avon- Maloy 19 run, kick failed
Avon- Perusek 62 run, conversion good
MI- Moss 1 run, conversion good
Avon- Mullins 18 pass from Maloy, conversion good
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