NEED TO KNOW:
Score:Â Life U 27, Huntingdon 12
Score:Â Life U 12, Florida Gateway 62
Records:Â Life U, 7-5; Huntingdon, 2-8; Florida Gateway, 8-2
MARIETTA, Ga. --Â Â The Life University women's flag football team split its Saturday afternoon action, taking down the Hawks of Huntingdon before falling to the Wolves of Florida Gateway.Â
Game One: Life U 27, Huntingdon 12
The Running Eagles defense got off to a hot start on the first drive of the day, forcing a punt from the visitors in just five plays. From there, Cheyenne Brooks and Akera Jackson combined to go 4-4 on the drive, marching down the field where Brooks punched in the opening touchdown on a four-yard scramble. On the ensuing drive, a risky gamble did not pay off for the Hawks as they turned the ball over on fourth down, allowing Life U to take a 7-0 lead into the second.
Both defenses continued to hold strong until late in the half, where Brooks found the back of the end zone through the air. Brooks connected with Altierra Gooch for her first touchdown pass of the contest as Life U carried a 13-0 lead to the break after a failed conversion attempt.
Brooks continued to light up the Hawks in the second half, immediately putting points on the board. On the opening possession of the third quarter, Brooks found Dechea Branham for a 35-yard score. In one of the longest drives of the game, Huntingdon responded in kind shortly after, keeping them in the game. Now trailing 20-6, the Hawks forced a big stop on the defensive end, taking possession of the ball heading into the final quarter.
The Life U defense answered the call in the fourth quarter, turning in multiple big stops. Off the defensive momentum, Brooks put the game to rest with one final touchdown pass, this time finding Latoya Mitchell on the goal line for the score. The Running Eagles went on claim the 27-12 win.
Game Two: Life U 12, Florida Gateway 62
The Wolves opened the scoring in the contest after stopping Life U on the opening drive. It took just two plays for the visitors to find the back of the end zone. Following a failed conversion, the Florida Gateway defense recorded an interception on the next driving, giving its offense great starting field position. Another two-play drive ensure as the Wolves struck again for a second touchdown. Leading 12-0 after failing a second conversion, Florida Gateway forced the Running Eagles to punt at the end of the first quarter.Â
Life U got on the board in the second quarter, keeping the game within reach. Cheyenne Brooks recorded a pair of touchdowns, including a 64-yard bomb to Altierra Gooch. Gooch was left wide open in the middle of the field, catching the ball in stride and taking it all the way to the house. Though the Running Eagles did record a pair of touchdowns, Florida Gateway also scored twice and took a 25-12 lead to the half.
The second half belong solely to the visitors as they outscored the Running Eagles 37-0. Though Life U showed signs of life, the offense struggled to string together a consistent drive as the defense had no answer for the Wolves.
The contest concluded 62-12 in favor of the visitors.
Up next, the Running Eagles remain at home to take on Florida Memorial on Friday, April 4.
