The Fort Dale Eagles evaded the Glenwood swamp for a quarter, but the smothering Gators’ defense paved the way for a Glenwood comeback and a 35-14 win.

The loss cuts FDA’s postseason hopes short in round one of the AISA state playoffs, and serves as revenge for the Gators’ defeat at the Eagles’ hands in 2012.

But it was the Eagles who struck first Friday night, thanks to a touchdown run from quarterback Luke Taylor with barely a minute off the clock in the first quarter.

It would be a while before the Eagles found paydirt again—more than two quarters, to be exact. In the meantime, the Gators found sure footing on offense and mounted 21 unanswered points: two in the second quarter, at the nine-minute mark and with 1:44 remaining in the half, and a third at the top of the second half with 9:39 remaining in the third quarter.

But Clay Mansmann brought the Eagles within striking distance yet again with a touchdown run with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter.  A successful point-after touchdown attempt made it a 7-point deficit for the Eagles.

But the final pair of daggers came soon after, as back-to-back Glenwood touchdowns—one with 1:47 left in the third quarter and another with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter—left the Eagles with a large deficit and too little time to address it.

Taylor finished the evening with 20 carries for 50 yards, and was 6 for 14 in the air with 105 passing yards.

Mansmann had 12 carries for 38 yards, and Andrew Salter finished with 13 carries for 32 yards.

The Fort Dale offense combined for 120 rushing yards and 105 passing yards.

Mansmann led the Eagles’ defense with 10 tackles.