George Washington Eagles Shock Sun Valley Vanguards On Homecoming Night

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Ted Podberesky | October 12, 2024

The Sun Valley Vanguards (1-6) hosted the George Washington Eagles (4-2) tonight for their homecoming game at Dr Wally Field. The Vanguards returned home following their loss last week to Bishop Shanahn, while the Eagles were coming off a huge win against Belmont Charter. George Washington shocked Sun Valley tonight, coming in and taking home a victory on their homecoming night 24-14.

The first quarter was a defensive battle on both sides, the Eagles and the Vanguards were consistently punting back and forth. It wasn’t until Sun Valley made an impressive drive towards the end of quarter to get inside George Washington’s redzone. However, the Eagles defense came up big forcing Quarterback, RJ Scharrer, into a bad throw where he was intercepted by Safety, Patrick Wright.

After the turnover, George Washington took over with little time remaining and marched down the field, ending the first quarter. The Vanguards defense stood strong and the Eagles were forced to kick a field goal. George Washington missed the field goal, leading to Sun Valley’s offense taking over with eleven minutes remaining in the second. 

The Vanguards struggled early to move the ball against the Eagles defense, and went three and out once again. George Washington started to find their rhyme after receiving the ball back, consistently running the ball downfield. It wasn’t until Quarterback, Tyson Scott, made an unbelievable play rolling to his right, reversing fields and finding open grass on a 55 yard touchdown run for the first points of the game. 

Down 7-0, Sun Valley started opening up the playbook. Letting Quarterback, RJ Scharrer,  control the offense and sling the ball downfield. The Vanguards had a couple nice completions before being shut down close to mid field. 

With the clock winding down the Eagles offense quickly put together a drive towards the end zone. Quarterback, Tyson Scott, eventually rumbled his way through tacklers on an eleven yard touchdown. Extending George Washington’s lead 14-0 right before heading into halftime. 

Sun Valley started with the ball to start the second half but continued to come up short on 3rd down. The Vanguards were forced to punt away, but ended up recovering the ball shortly after with a fumble on the return. 

Now with momentum on their side, Sun Valley put together a methodical drive into the Eagles red zone. After a completed pass to Jhamil Smith inside the ten yard line, Rocco Radico cleaned it up for the Vanguards offense running in for a 5 yard touchdown. With eight minutes remaining in the third quarter George Washington led 14-7. 

The Eagles offense responded with a long, clock-eating drive and ended up putting three points on the board to push their lead to 17-7.

Sun Valley carried the ball into the fourth quarter looking to shorten George Washington’s lead. Unfortunately for the Vanguards, the Eagles played perfect coverage downfield on a fourth down, and forced a turnover on downs in the beginning of the fourth. 

It didn’t take long before Running back, Patrick Wright, found his footing again and took a 42 yard run down to Sun Valley’s own thirty yard line. Handing the ball off again, Sun Valley was able to punch the ball out inside their redzone and recover. 

Sun Valley continued to keep passing the ball, feeding playmakers Josh Yanonis and Jack Penzone. Inside Eagles territory, Scharrer tried to find Jhamil Smith in the back of the end zone but was intercepted by Johnathan Weatherbe.

With four minutes remaining in the game, Tyson Scott took it upon himself to seal the game for George Washington. Scott found an opening up the gut and ran down the field for a 80 yard touchdown, pushing the Eagles lead to 24-7. 

The Vanguards weren’t going down without a fight however, rallying the offense and driving once again into the Eagles red zone. Scharrer was able to find his strong handed receiver, Josh Yanonis, down the sideline on a 32 yard touchdown, shortening the Eagles lead 24-14. 

With barely any time remaining Sun Valley kicked an onside kick and recovered around mid-field. The Vanguards tried to put together one last final drive but were stopped short on fourth down. 

Quarterback, Tyson Scott, led the George Washington Eagles offense out on the field one last time to kneel down, and secure their victory over the Sun Valley Vanguards 24-14.

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