HUNTSVILLE - Shiloh Christian’s sideline was stunned.
A muffed punt and Jakota Evans’ 1-yard touchdown run left Huntsville ahead 7-0 in front of a large homecoming crowd hoping for an upset of the Saints, and it stayed that way for most of the first quarter Friday night as the Eagles turned Shiloh’s Christian’s potent offense on its ear, allowing just 41 yards.
Then the Saints (3-2-1, 2-1) shook off the early deficit behind senior quarterback Daniel Shimer and rolled to a 38-14 victory in a 5A-West Conference game at Eagle Stadium.
“I was really proud of the way we responded after getting down early,” Saints Coach Josh Floyd said. “Give Huntsville credit. They played our tails off the whole game.”
Shimer ran for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns and passed for another 128 yards to lead the Saints to their second consecutive conference road victory.
Huntsville (2-4, 0-3) opened the game with a successful onside kick, then scored following another special teams mistake by the Saints before Shiloh Christian regrouped.
The Saints scored 38 consecutive points after the early mistake. Shiloh Christian finished with 292 yards rushing, with Chandler Smith chipping in 85 yards and a touchdown.
Shiloh Christian’s defense allowed just 71 yards rushing. Huntsville had 101 yards passing, but 73 of that came on the final two plays of the game.
Sports, Pages 27 on 10/12/2013