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COLUMBIA STATION - With both the United Eagles and the Columbia Raiders running-dominant teams, their second-round Division VI playoff contest came down to one factor -- whoever controlled the line of scrimmage would win.
The Eagles' linemen took control as the game progressed, storming back in the second half to record a 21-14 victory over the Raiders. The victory for the Eagles improves their season record to 10-1 and advances them to play another Raider team at South Range next Friday.
"It was a huge difference," Eagles senior running back/linebacker M'Kyan Haynes said about the line winning the game. "On defense, when they take up blockers, the second level can get in and make the tackles. And offensively, when they get moving on their line, we can get plays 2 yards, 3 yards, 5 yards. It's a huge advantage."
"Our line is so physical, and they have done an unbelievable job in five years in the weight room. They are tough and gritty, strong and physical," United coach DJ Ogilvie said.
"They are a good team," United senior lineman Levi Lucas said. "We knew coming into it that it was going to be a 50-50 game. It was just going to come down to who wanted it more. I credit a lot of it to our seniors."
With the game knotted up at 14-14 with just 4:58 remaining, the Eagles began their victorious march from their own 45. They utilized 10 plays with quarterback Tom Brown barreling into the end zone from a yard out with just 57 seconds to play.
"Our summer conditioning and our work in the weight room is really what sets us apart. We strive to be a dominant fourth-quarter football team," Lucas said.
M'Kyan Haynes led the Eagles with 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Brown added 48 yards on 15 carries and the winning score. Brown also completed five of six passes for 63 yards.
"I kept thinking what it would be like to win week 12, and we won week 12, so here we go to next week," an exhausted Haynes said. "Just one step at a time getting the program better."