OVERTON – Expectations were high on the Overton Eagles’ football team entering the 2010 fall season.
Actually, when are the expectations not high?
The Eagles took control early and didn’t let up as they put a leash on the Shelton Bulldogs Friday night, winning in big fashion 65-20.
“We came out with a little first game jitters, but after we settled down we played well for three quarters,” head coach Glen Snodgrass said. “Our offense really clicked well and our defense played tremendously.”
Overton immediately took over as starting quarterback Jacob Jensen and company jumped on top 16-6 after one quarter of play.
Jensen, along with a plethora of running backs, put on a clinic for the home crowd, as the Eagles’ scored 21 points in the second quarter, while the defense allowed just  12 points, as Overton was way out in front after the first half, leading 37-12.
The first half was just a sign of things to come.
Jensen looked comfortable in his new role as the leader of the Eagles’ offensive attack, as his seven rushing attempts for 157 yards, led all players.
“Jacob looked great,” Snodgrass said. “He looked pretty explosive out there and I was real happy with the way he came out and played.”
Overton kept a tight grip on the lead, as the Eagle defense allowed only eight points in the second half and allowing only 185 total yards for the game.
The Eagles’ offensive attack was still strong when the third and fourth string players took the field, as Overton amassed 28 points in the second half, producing one of the biggest margins of victory for the Eagles in recent memory.
Jensen accounted for almost all of Overton’s points Friday evening, finishing with four touchdowns on the ground, along with three touchdowns through the air.
The Eagles’ quarterback only threw three completions for 48 yards, but all three completions went for touchdowns.
Junior receiver Jacob Olmstead caught all three passes from Jensen and also scoring all three touchdowns, including a 32-yard strike.
Overton racked up an astounding 492 yards of total offense Friday night, including 446 yards on the ground.  The Eagle attack averaged 9.8 yards per play.
The Eagles will be ready this Friday, as they travel south of Kearney for their annual FKC showdown with arch rival Axtell.
Even with a new coach, Snodgrass is not over-looking the Wildcats, who enter Friday’s match-up 1-1.
“They won’t be as talented man-to-man as they have been in the past, but they are one of the better teams we will see this year,” Snodgrass said. “They are just so well disciplined. Axtell hardly makes any mistakes.”
The Eagles are looking for a little payback on the Wildcats, as Axtell handed Oveton its only loss of the regular season, a 41-12 drubbing in Overton.
Kickoff for Overton-Axtell is set for 7 p.m.

• Overton Eagles

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