FOOTBALL SNAPS LOSING STREAK, TOPS OTTAWA

OTTAWA, Kan. – With the help of a defense that forced two fumbles and an interception in addition to three touchdown passes from Eli Williams, Avila football snapped its seven-game losing streak and beat Ottawa on Saturday, 26-13.

In Ottawa's opening possession of the contest, Avila's Antonio Moore picked up an Ottawa fumble and returned it 35 yards into the end zone for the first score of the game. After four Braves offensive plays, the Eagles held a 7-0 lead.

Avila's defense stood tall again, forcing an Ottawa turnover on downs on the ensuing drive.

Two drives by Avila's defense, two turnovers.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, their next drive was ended by an interception thrown by Williams inside the red zone. Ottawa took over inside their own 20-yard line.

Avila's defense answered the call when its back was up against the wall. For the third consecutive drive, Avila forced another turnover.

Avila's Alex Calhoun recovered the second Ottawa fumble of the afternoon to give the Eagles possession back near midfield.

Ottawa's offense had been on the field for three drives and Avila's defense forced three turnovers.

But again for Avila, the offense was unable to capitalize and were forced to punt.

Ottawa's offense came out for their fourth drive.

Avila's defense was tired of forcing fumbles, so the team's leading tackler, Jay Wright, picked off Ottawa's Taylor Eggers to give Avila excellent field position inside the Braves' 15-yard-line.

Four Ottawa offensive drives, four turnovers forced by the Avila defense.

This time, the Eagles offense capitalized. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Williams found Kareem Chambers for a 12-yard touchdown reception to give Avila a 13-0 lead after Avila's two-point attempt failed.

For the first time all game, Ottawa's next drive did not end in a turnover, instead a 23-yard rushing touchdown to get them on the scoreboard.

The two teams traded punts on the following drives before Juan Delgado-Medina missed a 44-yard field goal attempt to keep the score at 13-6 entering halftime.

In the first drive out of the halftime locker rooms, Ottawa tied the game with their second rushing touchdown of the game. The PAT failed and the scoreline sat at 13-13.

Midway through the third quarter, Williams hit Mecoast Vaughn for a 13-yard touchdown catch to put Avila ahead 20-13.

The Eagles defense forced an Ottawa turnover on downs on two of its next three drives, giving the Avila defense six forced turnovers on the afternoon.

Avila answered back right away as Williams found Kendal Wooley for a 52-yard touchdown pass two plays later to finalize the 26-13 score.

The Avila defense forced one last fourth-down failure by Ottawa on the final drive of the game, for its seventh forced turnover in the contest.

Eli Williams finished the contest 19-27 for 239 yards and three touchdowns, while Jay Wright and Massimo Garcia each notched double-figure tackles.

Avila (2-7, 1-2 KCAC) has one final road game as they take on Sterling on November 9 before returning to the Z on November 16 to face Saint Mary.