PREP FOOTBALL: Eagles comeback effort against Winfield falls short, 28-18

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Vinemont’s Colby Miller ran for a pair of touchdowns in the Eagles’ 28-18 loss to Winfield Friday night. (Martha Needham/The Cullman Tribune)

VINEMONT, Ala. – The Vinemont Eagles hosted the Pirates of Winfield for homecoming after being off for the last two weeks. In my opinion, the Eagles played their best game of the season, but they came up short 28-18 to a strong Winfield team.

Vinemont received the opening kickoff and a strong ground game helped the Eagles move the ball down the field and chew clock. Brodie Curvin capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles ahead 6-0 with 6:08 remaining in the opening quarter. On the ensuing possession, Vinemont was able to force a punt to give the ball back to its offense. The Eagles offense hit the field and the second drive was looking a lot like the first, but after 11 plays, the Pirates intercepted the ball on the 2-yard line.

The Pirates’ second offensive possession didn’t come until late in the second quarter, with three and a half minutes left until halftime, and Winfield found the end zone to go up 7-6. On Vinemont’s next possession, the Eagles had to punt after a fumble on first down put them behind the chains. With just 16 seconds remaining in the opening half, Winfield tacked on another touchdown to take a 14-6 lead.

After both teams exchanged punts to start the second half, Winfield found the end zone with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter to stretch its lead to 21-6. Vinemont was forced to punt and one play later, the Pirates added to their lead with another score to make it 28-6. Vinemont was driving and getting close to the red zone, but the drive ended in a fumble. However, the Eagles got the ball right back thanks to an interception by Marcus Callingwood.

The Eagles capitalized on the turnover when Colby Miller scampered for a 19-yard touchdown run on fourth down to cut the lead to 28-12 with 7:05 left in the game. Vinemont pulled out the onside kick, which was successful, and three plays later Miller scored again from 40 yards out to cut the lead to 28-18 with 5:49 remaining in the game. The Eagles were able to recover another onside kick, but a penalty on the play gave the ball to the Pirates. Vinemont was able to force a punt to get the ball back in the hands of the offense but was unable to convert on fourth down, and the Pirates held on to take a 28-18 win.

Vinemont (3-3) will play Susan Moore at home next week.

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