Royals get back on track with Region 2-2A win over Polk County

After the defense imploded late in one loss and the offense was ineffective in another, Eagleton regrouped over its fall break, coming out for Homecoming with strong efforts on both sides of the ball. The Royals put together a complementary performance, and added in strong special teams play, in taking out Polk County 40-13 on Friday. Mason Mitchell directed an effective passing game, throwing three touchdown passes, and while the running game was not blockbuster quality, the Royals managed enough on the ground to keep Polk County off balance.Mitchell was spared giving up a pick on more than one occasion when Polk County defenders dropped potential interceptions. The same butter-finger issues bedeviled the Wildcats offensively, with four turnovers, three fumbles and an interception. Defensively, the Royals had their best game in some time in terms of limiting yards after contact. Both Greenback and Tellico Plains runners had continuous extra gains after missed tackles, but against Polk County, the Royals were swarming to the football, aiding teammates to finish off tackles, and limited the Wildcats to 41 yards in 22 carries. The Royals recorded five sacks, with sophomore Cash Golder leading that charge. 'It was great to go out there and get that many sacks, and then even the second unit went out there and got one,' Golder said. 'We didn't get enough pressure sometimes, but we got the job done.' Royals coach Stephen Childs said that Golder is a high-energy hard-nosed player. '(Golder's) motor is always running,' Childs said. 'He's a tough physical kid that we're trying to put in positions to free him up a little bit and attack the football. I think he did that pretty well tonight.' Eagleton had allowed several long kickoff returns in prior games, but Noel Meza-Flores did an excellent job of booming deep, high kicks into the corners. Polk County started its first two possessions at the 5-yard line, Meza-Flores recorded touchbacks on his next two efforts, and the best field position Polk County had after an Eagleton score started at its 29. That drive ended three plays later after an interception from Tysen Dorsey after yet another sack. Dorsey was the workhorse offensively, grabbing seven of Mitchell's 15 completions. The senior made a highlight-reel grab of a flare pass from Mitchell to the far corner of the end zone for Eagleton's fourth touchdown midway through the second quarter. 'I'm super proud of (Dorsey), for coming over here and being all in on what we're trying to do,' Childs said. 'It's been great for our culture, and it was good to see him have such a good night.' Adding in to the all-around consistent effort was the penalty-free play that Eagleton accomplished. The Royals recorded only one penalty, a 5-yard walkoff, in the first half. A handful of holds, many with the second unit in, ran up that total to five flags, but overall the Royals played consistently clean. UP NEXT: Eagleton hosts South Greene in a non-region game on Friday, Oct. 17. That game gives the Royals tune-up chances for its regular-season ender, a road trip to Oneida. That matchup will determine who will be the No. 2 seed for Region 2-2A, which grants a first-round home playoff game. Tellico Plains, 2-0 in Region play, holds the top spot given the Bears have head-to-head wins against both Eagleton and Oneida.