Eaton whomped The Academy on Friday, Oct. 5 for homecoming, 34-18. The Reds scored 20 points before halftime and held The Academy to six points after the half. Eaton football won its fourth consecutive homecoming game.

The Reds football team faced a great loss of players and leadership when the class of 2018 graduated. Twenty one seniors left the team each who played a major role and left big shoes to fill, but the Reds were determined to not let that slow them down. Before season, the football team trained countless hours on the field and in the weight room to prepare the season. The football team’s hard work and dedication paid off in its first game played at home against the Sterling Tigers. For many of the young Reds players, this was their first varsity game. The Reds walked away with a 37-25 victory.

The Reds football season so far has been very successful only losing one game to, Platte Valley, the number four team in 3A. The Reds are is currently ranked 9th and are led in defensive tackles by seniors Ty Garnhart and Alex Maravilla each totaling 29 tackles. Henry Fritzler (12) and Jimmy Beamon (12) each have one sack recorded for the season. The Reds defense is tough, allowing only 58 points during the season.

Offensively, quarterback Scotty Grable (10) leads the offense with 478 passing yards. Judson Church (12), leads the team in receiving yards, marking 206 yards in just five games. Ty Garnhart (12) leads the team in rushing yards with 196 yards on 40 carries. Gage Butler (10) is not far behind with 185 yards on 39 carries. The Reds have scored 98 points this season.

The following week, the Reds traveled to Denver to shut out Devlyn, determined to maintain a winning record. The team scored an impressive 34 points and did not allow any touchdowns by the Jaguars. The offense and defense alike proved their strength and tenacity.

The Reds faced the Platte Valley Broncos at home On Sept. 15, a rival since their upset last year during the playoffs, but this time the outcome wasn’t the same. The Reds battled hard, but did not manage to win. One Eaton touchdown wasn’t enough to keep a perfect record. Church (12) said, “It was a tough loss to a great team, but we are definitely capable of beating them and I can’t wait to see them in the playoffs.”

The Reds beat University High School 20-7 at the Bulldogs home on September 28. After a scoreless first half, the Reds turned the game around and scored three touchdowns in the second half while holding UH to only seven points.

When asked about their season so far, senior leader Jackson Contreras said, “Our talented coaching staff has done an incredible job adjusting to the problems a young team presents. In order for us to be successful this year we really needed our young guys to step up, and so far, they have done just that.”

Sophomore and stand out running back, Butler said the team’s success can be placed on their teamwork. He said, “We work as a team and we are very talented, and we don’t let our age get to us. We just go out there and have fun; that’s all we can do.” The Reds look to continue their winning season in the next four games before the playoffs for state begin on Nov. 3.