Freeman puts damper on Reardan homecoming

REARDAN – After playing many years at the 1B level, Freeman made its first appearance at Joe Johnson Field Friday, Oct. 18, as a new member of the 2B Northeast League. The Scotties won the game 45-6, spoiling the Screaming Eagles' Homecoming night.

Reardan head coach Matt Clouse was forced to field an inexperienced squad because of a roster that has been decimated by injuries, particularly to its offensive line. Eight varsity players watched the game in street clothes. At the start of the game, Freeman had nearly 20 more players suited up and ready to play.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Freeman wasted no time putting points on the scoreboard. It took quarterback Logan Schultz 25 seconds to move his team 60 yards and into the end zone. His 34 yard pass to Vance Coyner and the successful point after touchdown put the Scotties ahead 7-0.

The Screaming Eagles showed versatility on their first offensive possession. Nifty runs by quarterback Rysen Soliday and running back Hunter Flaa moved the ball across midfield and into Freeman's territory. They then connected on a 14-yard pass to get the ball to the Scotties' 24-yard line. The drive ended with a Reardan fumble that turned the ball back over to the Scotties.

Freeman drove 68 yards and scored on a Giovanni Sutherland 1-yard run to go ahead 14-0. Minutes later, the Scotties tacked on a field goal from 25 yards to lead 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Freeman scored two more touchdowns to take a 31-0 lead.

After the Scotties' second touchdown of the quarter, Reardan's Zander Thornton pulled off the play-of-the-game when he gathered in Freeman's kickoff and ran untouched into the end zone for what appeared to be the Screaming Eagles' first touchdown. A referee's penalty flag canceled the touchdown and evoked a collective groan from the Reardan side of the field.

The first half ended with Freeman maintaining its 31-0 advantage.

Reardan's offense put together a nice drive at the start of the second half. Soliday connected with Thornton on a 22 yard pass that put the Screaming Eagles on Freeman's 5-yard line. From there, Soliday took the snap and scrambled to his left, diving into the end zone for Reardan's first touchdown. With 6:00 left in the third quarter, Freeman led 31-6.

With nine minutes left in the game, Clouse pulled his starters to field mostly a junior varsity team. The Scotties scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make the final score 45-6.

Freeman won the yardage battle, outgaining Reardan 433 yards to 143. Schultz passed for 250 yards and three Scotties' touchdowns.

Reardan's Soliday passed for 89 yards and threw two interceptions. He scored the team's sole touchdown on his 5 yard scamper. Thornton led Reardan's receivers with seven catches for 83 yards.

"The kids played hard," Clouse said. "They were asked to step in, and they did the best that they could. The older players are bringing the young ones along. Everyone is continuing to battle."

Clouse is optimistic that one or two of his injured players will return to practice before the next game.

"The kids know where we're at, but we are going to keep battling. We are going to go down swinging," Clouse said.

"I thought our guys played well," Freeman head coach Mike McKeown said. "We wanted to stop the run and play physical, and our guys did that. One key tonight was that we played fast and ran the ball well."

Despite the game's lop-sided score, McKeown praised the Screaming Eagles' effort.

"I thought that they played phenomenal," he said. "I know that they are hurting and are down some guys, but they were hitting and flying around. Their coach is a good dude, and they have some solid guys on their team."

The win improved Freeman's record to 6-1. The loss was Reardan's fifth straight, dropping its record to 2-5. The Screaming Eagles' next game is Friday, Oct. 25, at Newport.