Crestwood – Last season, the South Oldham Dragons surprised a favored Eastern Eagle squad in their regular season matchup, jumping on top, 17-0, and hanging on for a 17-9 upset win that all but killed the Eagles’ playoff hopes. This season, both teams entered the contest in a tie for second in the district, both sporting identical 2-0 district marks. But the favored Eagles made sure that a second upset was not in the making.

Both teams expected big things from their defenses, but the Dragons’ "D" was shaken early. Eastern took the opening kickoff and marched 64 yards to the Dragon 16 yard line before being forced to try a 33 yard field goal, which Mike Reetz missed.

South went in reverse on their opening series, losing nine yards on three plays before punting. Derek Bowman, who punted four times for an average of 39 yards, got off a high but short 27 yard punt, and Eastern took over at the South 38. But on the first play from scrimmage, Brian Kennedy stepped in front of a Lee Morris pass and picked it off at the South 11, and returned it to the 16.

Again, the Dragons failed to move the ball and punted after three plays. Bowman booted a 41 yard kick, forcing Eastern to start from their own 38, but the Eagles moved 62 yards to score, with Craig Holeman hauling in a 41 yard pass from Morris for the touchdown. The Eagles snapped the ball to the up-back on the conversion, and ran it in for a two-point conversion to make it 8-0.

The Dragons started at their own 17 on the ensuing kickoff, and Josh Moll was promptly intercepted. The return gave the Eagles the ball at the South 16. On the first play of the second half, Malcolm Tillman took the ball into the end zone from the six. The two point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score 14-0.

Tillman came into the game as one of the top runners in the state, averaging over 126 yards per game. He finished with 197 yards on 28 carries. Thirteen of his runs went for five yards or more.

South would have only one shot at a score before the half ended. After getting the ball at their own 35 with 5:23 to go in the half, backup quarterback Brad Vowels moved the Dragons 29 yards to the Eagle 36. On fourth down, South went for the field goal. Justin Willis’ attempt had plenty of distance, but missed to the left from 53 yards out.

At the half, South had just 1 yard rushing and 37 yards passing. The stingy Eastern defense had allowed just 2 first downs.

Things didn’t get any better in the second half. On the Dragons’ first possession, Vowels’ first pass was picked off. For the second time, the Eagles made the Dragons pay after a turnover, driving 63 yards for the score. Morris took it in himself this time, running it in from the one. Mike Reetz’ kick made it 21-0, Eastern with 7:33 to go in the third.

Eastern’s final score came in the final period after a fake punt by South Oldham left the Eagles with the ball at the South Oldham 28 yard line. With 5:47 remaining, Tillman scored his second touchdown of the night on a four yard dash. The PAT accounted for the final score, making it 28-0.

South’s final two possessions ended in turnovers, as the Dragons coughed up the ball four times on the evening, including three interceptions.

Eastern improves to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the district and moves into a first-place tie with Trinity. South falls to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the district. They are tied with Shelby County for second place.