The Blue Eagles scored 20 points in the fourth period to put away a stubborn Silver Knight squad, 41-13, at a jam-packed Alumni Field in New Martinsville Sept. 7.

Magnolia took the opening period and drove down the field only to lose ball control on an interception deep into Knight territory. Two plays later, Tyler coughed up the ball and Jacob Brill recovered it in the endzone for a Magnolia touchdown. Clemens Raitmayr kicked the PAT that gave Magnolia a quick 7-0 lead.

After holding Tyler in the Knights’ next series, Gage Rohde racked up some yardage and Drew Keller moved the chains on a nice run. Then, Tanner Hanna scrambled for a nine-yard gain before hooking up with Ryan Walton close to midfield for a new set of downs.

After an MHS penalty, Stephen Rogalski and Keller had the Eagles knocking on the door once more on passes from Hanna. Keller ended the first quarter with a two-yard TD.

On the first play of the second period, Hanna and Rogalski hooked up on what appeared to be a 31-yard touchdown pitch and catch. However, the Eagles were guilty of holding, which neutralized the score.

Magnolia mounted another offense that had the Blue Eagles knocking on the door once more. However, another penalty and an incomplete pass forced them to try a 33-yard Raitmayr field goal that missed the mark.

But, the Eagles redeemed themselves on the next drive. Taking over close to midfield, Keller would rack up the yardage on three carries, including a nifty 25 yarder that advanced the hosts down to Tyler’s 15 yard line. From this point, Hanna hooked up with Brill for their second score of the game and a 14-0 Magnolia lead at the break.

Tyler Consolidated scored its first points of the game on its opening drive of the second half. The Knights capped off an impressive 66 yard, eight-play drive with a 10-yard run by Josh Ruble.

The momentum then shifted back to the Knights, as their defense held Magnolia to a three and out.

But, the Blue Eagles would start their next drive close to midfield. After two nice Rohde runs, the combination of Hanna and Keller racked up another first down at the Silver Knights’ two yard line. Hanna would sneak it in for a Blue Eagle 21-7 lead after three periods of play.

With the Knights down only two scores, it appeared that this could go down to the wire. But, with the Knights facing a fourth and one from their own 45 yard line, the Knights went for it. But, they had to settle for a punt because of a false start.

Bad fortune for Tyler. Although the Knights punted away from the Eagles’ talented Rogalski all night, their kicker sent the ball right into Rogalski’s hands. Thereupon, he took it to the house on a sensational 71-yard touchdown scamper that broke a gallant effort by Tyler Consolidated.

Magnolia would score twice more before the Knights added a score on the Blue Eagle reserves. The first Magnolia score after the Rogalski tally was a two-yard run by Keller and a Hanna pick six to cap off what ended in a rout.

Keller led all rushers with 106 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Rohde netted 42 yards on six totes. Hanna was 11-20 for 113 yards and a touchdown, and was picked off once.

Keller also caught three passes for 33 yards, while Rogalski netted 62 yards on five receptions. Walton caught one pass for eight yards, while Brill hauled in an 15-yard TD pass.

Magnolia moved the chains 15 times, while the Knights did so only 10 times. The Blue Eagles were penalized eight times for 75 lost yards, while Tyler was caught only three times for 35 lost yards. Both teams lost one fumble.

Defensively, Rohde brought down 12 Silver Knight ball carriers with three of them for minus yardage.

It was announced that the varsity football game between Magnolia and River High School, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 14, will be played at Magnolia’s Alumni Field starting at 7:30 p.m. This change in location and time is because of construction at River High School.

Magnolia will be the home team and River will be the visiting team in the contest and spectators will sit on their respective sides of the field.