Sterling Struggles in Second Half; Falls to Eagles

Kansas City, Mo. – Sterling made the long trip to Kansas City to take on the Avila University Eagles with just two weeks left to play in the football regular season. Avila played a strong second half that turned a 13-10 halftime score into a 41-10 final score.

Sterling moved the ball well on their first possession, but a 44 yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Spires special teams. The first play the Warriors were on defense, Diego Moran came up with a big interception and the Warriors were back in business. Sterling only managed a field goal on the turnover, - but took a 3-0 lead. Avila answered with a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead.

Sterling came charging back early in the second quarter with a 7 yard score by Kendrick Bell. Sterling's 10-7 lead was short-lived as Avila got one more late score in the first half, but missed the extra point making the halftime score 13-10 in favor of the Eagles. The second half was all Eagles as they scored 28 unanswered second half points.

Sterling's Rocklin Baptista was 9-19 for 106 yards thrown and 2 interceptions. Rigdon Yates came in and threw for 2 completions on 2 attempts totaling 74 yards before exiting the game with an injury. TC Smith led the Warriors rushing attack with 44 yards on 16 attempts, followed by Bell who had 33 yards on 9 attempts and a touchdown. Bryant Brown was the leading receiver catching 2 passes for 51 yards.

Defensively, Sterling was led by Alan Garcia who had 14 tackles, with a sack and two tackles for loss. Hunter Pullen was next in line with 12 tackles. Moran had 11 tackles and the interception that turned into a Warrior field goal early in the first quarter.

Luis Franco was 1 for 2 on field goal attempts, converting from 39 yards after getting blocked on a 44 yard attempt. He was also perfect on PAT's.

Sterling closes out the season on the road next Saturday when they take on Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm.

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