EAGLE POINT – Terry Phillips wasn’t the big scorer here Friday night. But his two points were the difference that gave the Phoenix High Pirates a 14–12 victory over the Eagle Point Eagles in a Rogue League football tilt.
The Eagles jumped off to a 12–0 lead. Then the Pirates fought back and Phillips’ extra points gave the Pirates the margin.
The clubs were fairly even and both tried to give the ball game away through fumbles and pass interceptions. Phoenix lost four fumbles, one leading to an EP touchdown and the Eagles were intercepted twice with one interception going for a Pirate TD.
Bruce Workman was the big carrier for the Pirates again with Phillips clearing a path. Workman carried the ball 27 times for 116 yards.
Second Rogue Win
It was the Pirates second loop victory in as many outings. They and the Lakeview Honkers are tied for first in the league standings. It was the Eagles second defeat.
Eagle Point did all of its scoring in the second period. With seconds left in the first half the Pirates cut the gap to 12–7. Then Phoenix went in front early in the third quarter.
Both clubs had a shot at controlling the ball in the first quarter. Later in the period the Eagles’ Steve Digby recovered a fumble on his own 42-yard line.
From there the Eagles marched to the end zone with Dan Reed passing to Jim Chubb for the touchdown with 11:52 minutes showing. The play covered 13 yards. A 20-yard pass play and a personal foul aided the drive.
The extra point kick was blocked by John Sweeney, Jay Baker and Mike McGinley.
Punt Fumbled
A fumbled punt return led to the Eagles’s next touchdown. Mid-way through the period the Eagles punted to Chuck Crane. Crane handed off to Phillips who headed for the side.
Phillips was brought down by a grasping tackle and the ball bounced out of his hands. Eagle Point’s Gary Thomas was there to pick up the ball. He didn’t stop until he had covered the 20 yards to the end zone.
The Pirates didn’t give up after that bad break. They took the kickoff and began to drive toward the Eagles’ end zone. They drove to the nine in 12 plays.
Then Crane went back to pass. He found Terry Stringer in the middle of Eagles and let loose. Stringer held onto the ball for the TD with 37 seconds left in the period. Phillips followed up with his first extra boot.
Phoenix took the second half opening kickoff on the Eagles’ 40-yard line following two penalties on Eagle Point. The Pirates drove down to the Eagles’ five.
Eagles Hold Firm
But Eagle Point held firm and took over the ball on downs. The Eagles attempted one running play. Then Dan Reed went back to pass. He pitched the ball out toward the side. But Bob Pete was in the way for the Pirates.
The tall Phoenix grapped onto the ball and dashed into the zone to give the Pirates a 13–12 margin. Phillips got his second point of the evening with another kick.
Phoenix mounted another attack seconds later after Allan Chisum recovered a fumble on the Eagles’ 25. The Pirates moved down to the Eagles’ four before Workman lost the ball on a fumble. Thomas came up with the loose ball for the Eagles.
Eagle Point started moving in the final period, racking up good yardage. A fumble on the Pirates’ 25 stopped the drive. The Eagles held the Pirates again and started moving the ball but Pete came up with his second interception of the evening.
