Red Devils topple EP, break skid in homecoming win

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- With two teams staring at 0-6 Friday at Chaffee, the Red Devils dominated the offensive side of the ball and dominated the score, winning 20-6.

In a matchup of the pass-oriented Red Devils and the ground-dominated Eagles, it was Chaffee that dominated both facets of the offensive side of the ball.

Chaffee coach Allan Horrell said he was happy to finally get a win for his team and hopes it will spark the team when they go into practice next week.

"It's hard to practice week in and week out when you don't get wins," he said.

After both teams played to a 0-0 halftime score, Chaffee capitalized on an East Prairie fumble on the opening kickoff to start the scoring. Starting on the East Prairie 35, Chaffee ran the ball a couple of times before going to the air.

Senior Sam Burnett hooked up with his favorite target, James Reischman, for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Reischman finished the game with three receptions for 36 yards.

Reischman said the team was pumped up for their homecoming game and knew it was one the Red Devils could win.

"We got the monkey off our back," he said. "Now we can just build off that."

East Prairie used an interception by senior Matt Boyer to set up its only score of the game. Brent Harland put it in from five yards out to cut the lead to 7-6 after the extra point went wide.

After cutting the lead to one, East Prairie was unable to generate any offense in the fourth quarter. The Eagles were held to 106 yards rushing and 51 yards passing overall.

Besides a solid defensive game, Horrell said a key was the success of the running game.

"If we could ever get the running game going we'd be able to win," he said.

The Red Devils pounded out 44 carries for 115 yards, led by Brandon Davis' 51. Davis and Zac Horman each ran for short touchdowns.

Despite two second half interceptions, it was Burnett's hot start early in the half that put the game out of reach. Burnett connected on four of his first six passes of the second half, including a key third down conversion on their second scoring drive.

Burnett finished the game 6-14 for 93 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

For East Prairie, Harland carried the load for the offense and had 114 yards on 18 carries. Matt Boyer was 3-of-9 passing for 51 yards.

Chaffee was penalized only twice the entire game, a strong turnaround after picking up 13 penalties against Scott City last week.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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