New Life football: Eagles end season with 3-6 record

The New Life Academy football season ended after the Eagles suffered a 14-6 loss to the Beacons of Concordia Academy in the Section 4AAA playoff game on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Roseville. The loss ended New Life Academy’s season at an overall record of 3-6.

The sting of the their 26-14 regular season finale loss to the same Concordia Academy team just a week before, on Oct. 19, was still fresh for the Eagles (3-6), and Tuesday’s playoff game was the chance that New Life Academy needed to redeem themselves. The Beacons, however, were unwilling to lose.

Less than four minutes into the first quarter of the game, Tri-Metro Conference foe Concordia Academy (6-4) scored a touchdown after an astonishing 45 yard run. The Eagles were up to the challenge and came back late in the first quarter after Eagles senior tight end Cody Linton intercepted a pass made by the Beacons. Linton returned the pass to the Beacon’s 12-yard line and senior fullback Max Matilla scored the touchdown for the Eagles. The extra point for the Eagles was missed, however, and the score was 7-6.

Defenses for both teams picked up and the Eagles were successful in protecting their territory and keeping the Beacons from scoring in the second and third quarters. However, two and a half minutes into the fourth quarter, the Beacons lengthened their lead against the Eagles after a successful 19-yard pass reception ended in the second touchdown of the game for Concordia Academy.

The Eagles made multiple marches down the field into Beacon territory throughout the rest of the fourth quarter, but their efforts to even the score were thwarted by Beacons defense, which continued to push the Eagles back. As the timer sounded at the end of the fourth quarter, the Eagles were defeated with a final score of 14-6.

Despite the loss, Eagles head coach Paul Mork said that he is very proud of the Eagles’ efforts and growth throughout the 2011 season.

At the end of their season, the Eagles bid farewell to senior co-captains Max Matilla, Cody Linton, Jordan Nieuwsma and Dan Lemay as well as to senior wide receivers Alex Heiser and Hayden Larson, quarterback Robert Grissom, offensive guard Jayme Nelson, and center Alec Wicklund. They also say good-bye to injured linemen Jimmy Hinrichs and Nick Brezniak.

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