MIDWAY, Ky. - After putting together a quality half against one of the Midwest Sprint Football League's best teams in the season opener, Midway returns to the road this week with hopes of putting together a complete game.
The Eagles will be back in southern Indiana for a second week in a row, when they travel to Enlow Field in Evansville to face Oakland City. The game will kick off at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
LAST WEEK: ST. MARY OF THE WOODS 41, MIDWAY 19
On the road against the projected MSFL favorite Pomeroys, the Eagles took a 17-13 lead into halftime, thanks largely to the efforts of freshman Chase Williams. Williams finished with 201 yards from scrimmage and had touchdowns on a 57-yard reception and 70-yard punt return in the opening two quarters.
But following a clean opening half offensively, Midway quarterbacks threw three interceptions in the second. Making matters worse, two of those picks were returned for touchdowns, the first of which came on the Eagles' third play from scrimmage in the half that gave SMWC the lead for good.
SCOUTING THE MIGHTY OAKS
After getting a week-one bye, Oakland City comes into its first game of 2024 with a new coach in Jared Maners and a roster that looks very different from the one that was last in points scored (9.3) and points allowed (31.4) in an 0-7 inaugural season last fall.
Only two projected offensive starters were on the Mighty Oak roster a season ago, while just four starters are back on defense.
However, one of those returning offensive players has a strong history against Midway. Receiver Devontay Gilbert gained 168 yards from scrimmage and had a 62-yard touchdown reception against the Eagles in a game on Oct. 21 last season.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Despite Gilbert's efforts, the Eagles were able to pull out a 20-12 win in the first ever meeting between the two teams last season, thanks largely to an opportunistic defense.
The Eagles forced four turnovers, highlighted by a 14-yard, second-quarter fumble return for a touchdown by Austin Johnson that put them ahead 13-0 at halftime.
Midway's run defense was also stout, allowing just 54 rushing yards on 34 attempts. Taking away one 29-yard run by Gilbert, the Mighty Oaks averaged just 0.75 yards-per carry.
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