Laney clips Eagles' wings

By Reggie Stiteler
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 5:47 PM CDT
Mt. Shasta News

Siskiyou linebacker Russell Williams (57) helps level Laney quarterback Matt Dardeene who coughs up the football on the play. Laney would recover the ball but was forced to punt after the 6-yard loss.

After recovering their onside kick attempt with just 39 seconds left in the game, the Siskiyou Eagles were thwarted in their attempt to score a second touchdown in the final minute of play as visiting Laney escaped with a 31-24 win.

Quarterback Ben Cozad who entered on the second possession of the fourth quarter and helped rally the Eagles (3-3) with two touchdown passes, found his pass intercepted by a Laney defender just outside the end zone.

Turnovers sabotaged both team's offensive attacks. Laney lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions while Siskiyous lost a fumble and were picked three times.

Beginning the game both offenses ran smoothly, driving down the field and scoring on the game's first four offensive possessions.

After Laney booted the opening kick off, giving Siskiyous possession, quarterback Matt led the Eagles down the field finding Kalvin Bailey who took the pass 10 yards for the score and early 7-0 lead.

Laney responded with a touchdown of their own before the Siskiyous booted a field goal for their final lead of the game, 10-7. Laney returned the kick off 63 yards to the Siskiyous 22-yard line and it looked like the beginning of a high scoring shoot-out after they again found the end zone for the 14-10 lead.

But that was the final scoring by either team until the final play of the third quarter.

The teams exchanged three turnovers before the Siskiyous defense led by Robbie Chicano stuffed Laney running back Cameron Brown on a fourth and two, three yards from the Siskiyou end zone.

Siskiyous had a chance to score on their initial second half drive, but kicker Alper Keskin who hit a 24-yarder in the first quarter, was wide from 33 yards.

The Siskiyou defense sacked Laney quarterback Matt Dardeene and knocked the ball loose. Laney recovered, but was forced to punt.

But Dardeene later found Charles Walker for a 20-yard touchdown pass -- his 38th on the season and a new Laney school record.

The Siskiyou defense was playing great, but four penalties totalling 40 yards on that final drive of the third quarter was more than they could afford.

Laney extended the lead to 21-10 which allowed them to run just enough time from the clock to prevent a last second Siskiyou comeback, which nearly occurred.

Siskiyou quarterback Jackson completed 17 of 34 attempts for 214 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Cozad tossed five for eight with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including a 75-yard bomb to Anthony Young who caught for 152 yards on the days.

Young, Demario Ballard and Darius Davis each hauled in a touchdown to account for the Siskiyous scoring.

COS will host Sacramento City for their second Mid Empire Conference battle of the season this Saturday at 1 p.m.