EAGLES FOOTBALL WINS SEASON OPENER, 24-21

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the fourth consecutive season – and second under head coach Derrick Alexander – the Avila football program won its season opener, taking down Bethany 24-21 at The Z on Saturday afternoon.

After the teams traded punts on the first three possessions, sophomore quarterback Nick Sanford II found junior wide receiver Malcolm Tatum for a 25-yard touchdown reception for the first Avila score of the 2024 season.

Avila wasn't able to capitalize on a muffed Bethany punt two possessions later, as Sanford's third-and-long pass was picked off.

The Eagles forced a fumble by the Swedes late in the first half and turned that into a 43-yard field goal attempt with under 30 seconds remaining. Juan Delgado's three-point attempt was blocked to ensure Avila would have just a 7-0 lead as the teams entered the halftime locker room.

Another missed field goal by Avila on their opening third quarter drive gave Bethany the ball back.

After an Avila defensive pass interference penalty gave Bethany the ball at midfield, the Swedes connected on a 50-yard pass and catch to tie the game at 7-7.

Scoreless drives by each team gave Avila the ball back early in the fourth quarter. A five-play drive was capped off by a 29-yard pass from Sanford to sophomore wide receiver Seth Myers. Avila held a 14-7 lead early in the final quarter.

Bethany quickly fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Avila started with the ball one yard outside of the Swedes' red zone.

Two plays later, senior Jalen Thatch scampered for a nine-yard touchdown on an end-around, giving the Eagles a commanding 21-7 lead.

Back-to-back Bethany touchdowns tied the game with eight minutes remaining.

(photo credit: Issy Aguilar).

Avila would then drive the ball 56 yards down the field and seal the game with a 32-yard Juan Delgado field goal before Bethany turned the ball over on downs to give the Eagles a 1-0 record on the season.

There are certainly things that Alexander will stress to his team before they take on Southwestern on the road next week, but he will take the win. 

"Starting 1-0 helps. Any time you get a victory, that helps," Alexander noted. "We still have a lot to work on going forward this season."