Ironheads stay perfect in District 3A-4

HUGO — Eufaula continued its dominance of District 3A-4 with an emphatic 42-21 win over Hugo Friday.

Hugo got on the board first, but Eufaula senior quarterback Travis Burkhalter answered with a 62-yard touchdown run. Adam Sanders’ PAT tied the game at 7-7.

The game was tied 14-14 in the second quarter when the Ironheads “broke Hugo’s back” according to Eufaula head coach Kerry Roberts with 28 points in the last six minutes of the first half.

Ashton Bowie scored on a 6-yard run, Burkahalter on a 5-yard run and Kyle McDonald caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Burkhalter. Sanders was successful on all three PAT’s and in the blink of an eye, Eufaula led 35-14 as the first half ended.

“We played really good,” Roberts said. “We gave up a couple of big plays but we contained their quarterback and really controlled the line of scrimmage.”

Neither team could capitalize in the third quarter, but both were able to post a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Eufaula’s came on a 1-yard run by Burkhalter.

Burkhalter is living up to all the preseason hype according to Roberts. Through seven games, he has more than 900 passing yards and 800 rushing yards. Against Hugo, the senior ran the ball 17 times for 162 yards and three touchdowns. At halftime he had already rushed for 139 yards on eight carries. He only connected on four of his 13 pass attempts but did throw for one touchdown.

Bowie also has more than 800 yards on the ground this season. The sophomore power-runner carried 20 times for 172 yards.

The Ironheads finished the game with 413 total yards, averaged 8.5 yards per play on the ground and held Hugo to only 175 yards rushing.

“We are just playing really well right now,” Roberts said. “Things are starting to come together for us.”

While the Ironheads were dominant on offense, their defense also helped control the game. One of Eufaula’s defensive leaders, Kevin Jones, returned to his linebacker position after missing last week’s game against Checotah.

“Jones had 15 tackles in his first game back,” Roberts said. “When we’ve got him in the ballgame on defense, we are a whole different team.”

The Ironheads face Morris at home Thursday with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.