Eagles suffer first loss of season to Wellpinit

SOAP LAKE — The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season Thursday night, falling 46-12 at home against Wellpinit in a non-league matchup.  

What began as a back-and-forth matchup quickly developed into a big Wellpinit win, as the Redskins scored 32 consecutive points to close out the first half. 

“I’m glad that we played a team that can expose some weaknesses, because we had been rolling and hadn’t had any struggles yet,” Soap Lake head coach Garrett Devine said. “I think going into league, we just need to focus on controlling the football, and that starts at practice.” 

Both teams entered the game unbeaten, with Soap Lake coming off an off-week; the Eagles previously defeated St. John Endicott-LaCrosse and 60-18 and Waterville-Mansfield 36-22. Wellpinit picked up wins over Republic, Coeur du Christ and Bridgeport in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s game. 

"The kids were excited to try and see how we stacked up against a perennial playoff team,” Devine said.  

After Soap Lake senior Robby Fisher cut the Wellpinit lead to 8-6 on a 17-yard touchdown reception, the Redskins scored on a 60-yard touchdown run, a one-yard touchdown run, a seven-yard touchdown pass and an interception returned for a touchdown just before halftime.  

Soap Lake added an additional score in the fourth quarter on a kickoff return for a touchdown by junior Lenny Campos. 

“That’s the thing about eight-man football,” Devine said. “It went from being a gridlock to kind of a runaway. It was the turnovers that started it, and then a couple missed assignments. We haven’t had a chance to play a team that good, and when you make mistakes they capitalize.” 

Soap Lake begins league play on the road against Pateros next week. 

“Our goal is to win a league championship, and we’ve been talking about that,” Devine said. “We’ve got the right kids; when they’re playing well, they’re a very talented group. We’ve just got to keep them focused on that goal and we’ll see how things shake out.” 

    Soap Lake junior Logan Northup (11) breaks a tackle and advances up field on a catch-and-run in the second quarter.
  

    Soap Lake senior Sam Schopf (22) looks to make a tackle in the backfield against a Wellpinit ballcarrier.