Eagles Hang on to Defeat Bulldogs; Amir Al Hindi with 3 Touchdowns

A rare Thursday Night battle took place in Fox Lake between the Eagles and Bulldogs. Both squads have lost their last 2 games, and were trying to get back on track.

After a 45 yard run by Pryde Mendoza set up a 25 yard field goal by Ayden Sheppard, the Eagles took control the rest of the half. Senior running back Amir Al Hindi closed up two Eagle drives with runs of 12 yards and 1 yard respectively. The Eagles led 14-3 at the half after their final drive stalled, and Al Hindi had 148 yards rushing at the half.

The Bulldogs took the momentum back on their second possession of the second half. The drive started with a 35 yard deep ball from junior quarterback Rylan Art (8/16, 108 yards, 9 carries, 87 yards, TD) to Pryde Mendoza from the Bulldog 6 yard line. Art finished off the 94 yard drive with a 4 yard keeper and a 2-point conversion to make it a 3-point game.

In the 4th quarter, it seemed like the Eagles would take back control after Al Hindi (35 carries, 222 yards, 3 TD) scored his 3rd touchdown run (12 yards). The Bulldogs scored over a minute later behind Mendoza's (22 carries, 142 yards, TD, 2 rec, 45 yards) 8 yard run.

The Bulldogs had the ball again in the final two minutes. They drove the ball down to the Eagles 15 yard line with under a minute left. On the next play, Rylan Art carried the ball, but fumbled it as he was going to the ground and the Eagles recovered it to seal the game.

With the Eagles (4-4, 3-3 NLCC) 21-18 win, the victory sets up a huge home game against Grayslake Central (5-3, 3-3 NLCC) next Friday Night. The Bulldogs (2-6, 1-5 NLCC) will travel to North Chicago (1-7, 0-6 NLCC).

Eagles quarterback Max Bausch went 9/17 for 73 yards, and had 11 carries for 73 yards. Receiver Tyson Dewey caught 6 passes for 38 yards.