The Varsity Eagles faced the Spring-Ford Rams in a conference game on Friday, September 19th, suffering another loss at the home field, dropping their record to 1-4. With a final game score of 35-0, the Eagles’ weaknesses were amplified against the conference rival.
Though the Rams would walk into the Eagles’ field winless in four games, they were not an opponent to take lightly, as all of the Rams’ opponents were within Pennsylvania’s top 50 ranking for high school football teams and in the top 1,500 nationally. The Eagles’ were also on a 2-game losing streak, coming off a loss to the Bayard Rustin Golden Knights Both teams were desperate for a win
The game wasn’t so “out-of-reach” for the Eagles’ as it seemed to be against the Golden Knights, even if the result seemed worse. Turnovers were reduced from the previous game, with only 1 interception and 2 fumbles recovered by the opposing team combined, but it didn’t seem to matter in the long run.
The majority of drives for both teams were locked down by defenses, requiring deep throws and far runs to gain any distance to work the ball to the endzone. Unfortunately, the Rams were able to succeed in this aspect, managing to gain the majority of their distance in singular plays and close out near the endzone.
As for the Eagles, they struggled. And when they did get the eventual breakthrough or get within single-digit yards, they weren’t able to punch it in. Most notably, early in the 2nd quarter, the Eagles brought it to the Rams’ 30 from nearly their own 20 with a pass to WR Joseph Melonson from QB Gregory Thompson. They struggled to push forward against the Rams’ defense, but eventually got within 5 on 4th down.
At this point of the game, they were only down 14, and scoring would have made it a much closer game. Unfortunately, the pass was blocked by the Rams, but a turnover on downs kept the Rams’ at their own 5. On the first play of the drive, the Rams fumbled. The ball was recovered by the Eagles’. Norristown was in an even better position than before, only 9 yards from the endzone on 1st down but still was forced into a 4th down. They tried for the touchdown, but unfortunately failed to score on 4th and goal.
The Eagles never got another chance like that to score, and the deficit only grew as the game went on. With this, the Eagles would suffer another loss at home, stretching their losing streak to three.
Spring-Ford kicker Ryan Reaver sending the ball into the endzone nearly every punt or kick off didn’t help the Eagles in their fight to gain distance either. With the touchbacks only bringing the Eagles to their own 20, they’d always be a long way from the endzone. With nearly every drive needing long and, many times, risky passes to gain any distance, the Norristown Eagles had their hands tied.
Now that we’ve officially hit mid-season, do the Eagles have a chance to turn the season around?
Only 4 games remain in the season, all of which are conference games. The Eagles will face Owen J. Roberts, Methacton, Perkiomen Valley, and Boyertown. Winning all of these games will be tough, as the Eagles suffered losses to all four in the last season; even if the Eagles go the distance with all four of their conference rivals, it will barely get them over .500.
Every single one of these opponents is ranked higher state-wide and nationally. The Eagles haven’t had much luck against similar opponents. Every remaining game will be high-stakes for the Eagles, and every game will be a must-win if they want to make the work they’ve put in this season worth it.
It’s already been a tough season for the Eagles, and with even better opponents coming for the Eagles, hopes of a winning season are drifting away. The last time the Eagles worked out a win against a conference team was against Boyertown in the 21-22 season. Though beating all 4 of the remaining conference teams and snapping their losing streak against each will be tough, the Eagles can never be counted out of games like this.
