Carson Graham Eagles vs Handsworth Royals

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The 38th Annual Buchanan Bowl between the Carson Graham Eagles and Handsworth Royals took place this past Saturday. This classic game between rival schools was a tightly contested battle that ended in the Eagles' favour 28-14.

The way the game started for the Eagles, you would have
thought it was going to be a long day at the office for the Royals. The Eagles dominated time of possession in the first quarter, scoring on their first two drives of the game.  

Their first drive was an efficient seven plays and 62 yards. The Eagles used a balanced approach to work their way downfield, which finished with a 10-yard rushing score by Matt Brackenbury.  

After the Royals went three and out on the following possession, Carson got the ball right back and their offence picked up where they had just left off, as Josh Barber found Henry Ryan on a 28-yard pass and catch to put the Eagles up 14-0 after one quarter.

The Royals settled in after that and stopped the Eagles on the next few drives.  Handsworth broke through in the second quarter when QB Clayton Lee hit Trey Adelaar on a 32-yard strike to cut the lead to 14-7 at the half. 

In the third frame, on an errand pitch to running back Chase Chin, Carson's Ashkan Talaei, scooped up the football mid-air and rambled 53 yards for the touchdown, making it 21-7 Eagles.

The fight in the Royals did not waver as QB Clayton Lee capped
off a drive with a QB sneak to make it a one-score game, 21-14 after 3.

The Eagles took back control and drove the field 65 yards to make it a two-score game again. The drive featured great runs from Brackenbury and a key 3rd down conversion by Kai Preto on a 14-yard catch from Barber. Brackenbury capped off the drive with a 7-yard TD run.

The Eagles fought off another hard charge by the Royals to win the 38th Buchanan Bowl 28-14. Game MVPs for either team were awarded to Handsworth's Chase Chin and Carson Graham's Matt Brackenbury.

"What a great day, great crowd and event," said Head Coach Larry Donohoe of the Eagles. 

"This is an emotional game for both teams, as Handsworth fought hard all game. I am happy our guys dug deep and found a way to finish it off," he continued.

"As the Coordinator of the Buchanan Bowl, I would like to thank both schools' Administrative teams. We could not have run this game without your support!  Also, a thank-you to both schools' parent groups; this just wouldn't happen without you!  A special thank-you to Andrea Jenks (Carson Graham) and Megan Enns (Handsworth) for taking
the lead at both schools.  It was greatly appreciated!"

Both teams will recover from the emotional and physical toll a big rivalry game entails and set their sights on preparing for their next opponents.