<strong>By Gabriel Jenkins
</strong><strong>LowcoSports.com
Photo by Bob Sofaly</strong>

The Beaufort High Eagles were eager to finally roll out their new home turf Friday, and they channeled their enthusiasm into a dominant 48-6 win over the visiting James Island Trojans.

Even with the crowd at limited capacity, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric for the season opener and Senior Night. The Eagles played a dominant game, establishing the run game early on offense as the defense controlled the line of scrimmage with the help of Eamon Smalls, Theo Washington, and Alvin Wilson.

The Eagles defense set the tone in the first drive of the game, forcing the Trojans to go three-and-out. Beaufort High’s offense came out running the ball with Jaylin Houseal to set up quarterback Tyler Haley for a 30-yard run for the first touchdown early in the first quarter.

The defense came back with the same intensity, as Colton Phares had an interception on the Trojans’ second offensive drive of the game to set up the Eagles offense with great field position. The offense rumbled down the field to get a 2-yard touchdown run from Houseal and followed another quick three-and-out with a 56-yard bomb from Haley to Marcus Goodwater to make the score 20-0.

The Trojans could not get anything going on offense and couldn’t hold the defensive line. Washington had a sack to force another three-and-out, and Jeremiah Simmons blocked the punt to set up the Eagles at the 5-yard line. Amariee Morris punched it in from the 4 to make the score 27-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The offense get the ball back and pummeled the Trojans defense, ending with a 1-yard sneak form Haley before James Island put together its first sustained drive of the night to get on the board with a field goal before halftime.

James Island’s defense began the third quarter with an interception to get the offense on the field, but the Trojans couldn’t convert and were stopped again. The Eagles marched down the field again with Houseal rumbling for a 7-yard TD to make the score 41-3 at the end of third quarter. The Trojans were able to get down the field and kick another field goal before Houseal added an 11-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring.

Now the Eagles (1-0) will prepare to travel to May River in a marquee match of expected Region 7-4A favorites.

<em>Beaufort’s Ray Fields tries to catch a Tyler Haley pass during the second quarter against James Island on Friday at Eagle Stadium. Fields couldn’t hang on to the pass but the Eagles went on to win 48-6.</em>