Two teams each hoping it can make good things happen will tangle during the Chadron State Eagles’ homecoming contest versus the Fort Lewis Skyhawks at Elliott Field Saturday afternoon. Kickoff will be at 1 o’clock.
Admittedly, both have struggled. The Eagles won their first game 35-34 over Quincy University by making some big plays in the final few minutes, but have been outscored 152-46 while losing the next four. Fort Lewis is 0-5 and has been outscored 232-79.
Undoubtedly, both see this matchup as one where they have a chance put things together, notch a victory and use it as a springboard to be more competitive the rest of the season.
To be sure, the Eagles need to get their rushing game going. They have averaged just 102 yards a game and scored only three touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Preston Pearson is the team’s leading rusher with 154 yards and no one else has more than 79.
The passing game has had more big moments, but CSC has averaged only 177 yards through the air. The fact the opponents have completed seven touchdown passes at least 50 yards long helps them hold a 1,503-to 886-yard margin in passing yardage.
Maybe the “long bomb” issue has been resolved. With all-everything quarterback John Matocha at the controls last Saturday, none of Colorado Mines’ 31 pass completions was longer than 27 yards.
Fort Lewis played its two non-conference games on the road and lost 42-6 to William Jewell of Missouri and 49-25 to Arizona Christian. New Mexico Highlands won 31-17 over the Skyhawks in the RMAC opener for both.
The next week, Fort Lewis led Adams State 24-16 entering the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies drove 77 yards for a touchdown midway in the frame and kicked a 28-yard field goal with less than a minute to play for a 25-24 victory.
Last week’s game in Durango against CSU-Pueblo is definitely one the Skyhawks would like to forget. After the ThunderWolves had been defeated 30-14 by Western Colorado and 55-14 by Colorado Mines, they obviously took out their frustrations on the Skyhawks.
Pueblo led 50-0 at halftime and won 85-7 while rolling up 764 yards of total offense. Fort Lewis’ touchdown came on an 80-yard run by Criox Burney late in the game.
The Skyhawks, who have lost 33 games in a row, dating back to midway in the 2019 season, are coached by one of their all-time all-stars. He’s Johnny Cox, a 1994 Fort Lewis graduate who still holds the school records for most receiving yards (3,611) and touchdowns (33). He also led the RMAC in punt returns as a senior with a 14.5 average. This is his second year at the helm for his alma mater.
The Hawks have six seniors in their starting lineup on offense. However, all but one of the defensive starters are freshmen or sophomores.