NWE juniors take Gulf Coast Youth Football title
Published 4:59 pm Monday, December 2, 2013
The NWE Eagles are: Da’Merion Findley, No. 3; Keaundre Richardson, No. 85; Levi Kirkpatrick, No.11; Jaden Cunningham, No.1; Tanner Boone, No. 5; Jamarkus Jefferson, No. 6; Kaden Odom, No.44; Travis Nelson, No. 20; Tomorrion Knight, No. 75; Donovon Davis, No. 21; Da’Shawn Davis, No.10; Josh Zisa, No.53; A.J. Hasty, No. 8; Jayden Jackson, No. 4; Jaheem Durant No. 25; J.D. Ward, No.8 and Ki-Jana Carter, No.99 The Eagles are coached by Patrick Boone, Eric Jefferson, Johnnie Carter, Tomorrion Knight and David Odom.
The Northwest Escambia Eagles’ junior football team was named Gulf Coast Youth Football Champions Saturday at the end of a three-day tournament.
The tournament began on Thanksgiving, meaning not everyone on the regular season team was available for the championship. Kaden Odom from the Eagles’ sophomore team and Tomorrion Knight from the Poarch team joined the juniors.
The championship caps an unbeaten, 12-0 season for the Eagles, in which they outscored their opponents 410-19.
NWE took on Trimmier Park Thursday and the defenses were dominant as both teams were held scoreless until the fourth quarter. Knight blocked a punt early in the game and set the tone for the Eagles’ defense.
The Saints scored first, but failed on the extra point try when the Eagles’ Jaheem Durant stopped a runner in the backfield. With less than two minutes left in the game, Da’Merion Findley forced a Saint fumble, which Jayden Jackson recovered and returned for a 40-yard touchdown.
Durant, Da’Merion Findley and Keaundre Richardson each had a sack in the game. Odom scored the extra point on a quarterback sneak and the Eagles won 7-6.
NWE shut out the Eight Mile Giants 13-0 on Friday. Jackson and Durant both scored touchdowns and Odom added the extra point.
The Eagle defense dominated the Giants. Richardson had five tackles and a sack. Odom grabbed and interception and had several tackles. Ki-Jana Carter, Donovon Davis and Knight played tough on the defensive line. A.J. Hasty added a fumble recovery, while Jackson, Tanner Boone, Findley and Durant contributed with tackles.
The Eagles clinched the title Saturday in a rematch with Mobile’s Trimmier Park, winning 7-0. Odom scored the only touchdown in the the game and Jaden Cunningham scored the extra point.
The Eagles’ defense held the Saints scoreless throughout the game, stopping them on a goal-line stand from the 3-yard line. Hasty, Richardson, Jackson, Durant, Findley and Odom all made stops for the Eagles.
Odom completed two passes to Boone for short gains. Jackson also completed a 30-yard pass to Richardson.
