Cedar Park battled to a hard-fought 41-20 victory over Georgetown on Friday, Oct. 14 at Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field. One of the most hyped games of the week, both teams came into the game confident, looking for a win. The host Eagles, led by high-flying receiver Beau Corrales, a highly regarded college recruit currently committed to play football at the University of Iowa, looked for a huge home upset over the number-one ranked Timberwolves. Cedar Park was too much, however, running the Eagles out of their own stadium.

The Wolves started quickly, scoring on the second play of the game through a 72-yard touchdown catch by senior receiver Hayden Craig. The Black Rain quickly got the ball back to the offense, which scored again by a 4-yard run by senior back Tyler Lavine. The quick start set the tone for the general theme of most of the game.

A huge theme of the game was the inactivity of Georgetown’s star receiver Corrales. Covered by senior defensive back Obinna Udoye for the majority of the game, Corrales was only held to five catches, totalling 36-yards, according to KMAC Sports. Udoye’s signature moment against Corrales happened toward the end of the first quarter. With the Eagles driving inside the Cedar Park 10-yard line, Udoye stepped up and intercepted Georgetown quarterback Chandler Herman, who was looking to connect with Corrales in the end-zone.

“I just knew I had to shut him down because, in the weeks before, he had been catching lots of balls,” Udoye said. “I knew that shutting him down would take away a big part of their offense.”

With Corrales ineffective against Udoye, the Eagles found another offensive option in junior Caden Leggett, who led Georgetown’s surge back into the game. After a long reception by Leggett, junior back Erik Anderson scored from eight yards out to make it a three point game at the end of the first quarter. Cedar Park quickly rebutted the comeback, scoring via a 53-yard run by Lavine. Another Lavine touchdown soon after, this one a 37-yard screen catch, extended the lead to 27-13 going into halftime.

“We believe coming out to the second half with momentum is a game changer,” Lavine said. “Going into halftime with that momentum gave us more energy.”

Out of the gate in the second half, Georgetown flew back into the game. Leggett caught two passes totalling 57 yards on their opening drive of the half, getting into the endzone and bringing his team back within seven. This was as close as they got the rest of the game. Cedar Park junior receiver Drew McDaniel caught two huge passes to set up a Lavine touchdown run.

Stout defense by the Black Rain, highlighted by Udoye’s shutting down of Corrales, held Georgetown off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. Craig iced the game with a 23-yard touchdown run to send the Eagles to their second straight defeat.

According to KMAC Sports, Cedar Park outgained Georgetown 442 yards to 269. The Eagles were led statistically by Legget, who had six catches, tallying 140 yards. For Cedar Park, Craig tallied 62 yards on ten carries, adding the fourth quarter touchdown. Lavine rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Quarterback Mak Sexton went 12/17 through the air for 258 yards and two touchdowns to Craig and Lavine. The Black Rain sacked Georgetown’s Herman three times and held Corrales to one of the worst games of his career.

Up next for the Timberwolves comes fellow undefeated Pflugerville Connally. The Panthers, the only other remaining unbeaten team in the district, come off a dramatic 20-19 win over Rouse, in which they came back from a large deficit to take back the game and save their streak. Both teams will go into the game undefeated, but only one will leave that way.

“Connally is a very athletic, fast team on both sides of the ball,” Cedar Park head coach Carl Abseck said.  “They are very explosive, it doesn’t take a big mistake for them to turn it into a big play. They have scored nine defensive touchdowns this year, and are very good on special teams as well. They are a well-rounded, well coached team that is hungry for success.”

Abseck challenged the Cedar Park faithful headed into the big matchup.

“Show up in force,” Abseck said. “It is a white-out game and we want you to be there and be loud. It should be an exciting game.”

The game is at Gupton Stadium this Friday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m.