Eagles face tough road trip

After watching Chelsea running back Zalon Reynolds rush for 183 yards and four touchdowns last Friday, Oak Mountain likely faces an even stiffer challenge this week.

The Eagles travel west to take on Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Friday at 7 p.m., and will face the ground game of the Patriots, featuring running back Brian Robinson.

Robinson set a Class 6A single-game rushing record with 447 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries in a 2015 game against Clay-Chalkville.

He wasn't used much in Hillcrest's season opener last week against Demopolis in the Champions Challenge, as the Patriots ran away with a 42-7 victory. He gained 55 yards on 10 carries, scoring twice.

Coaches always see the biggest improvements from the first game to the second game, and Oak Mountain hopes that jump in performance will be enough to slow down Robinson.

The Eagles' offense performed well in the 49-33 loss to Chelsea, as new starting quarterback Wyatt Legas threw for 279 yards, including 147 of those yards to Noah Egan, who caught nine passes.

Carson Bobo caught the lone touchdown from Legas, totaling 91 yards on 7 grabs.

Hillcrest QB Cole Frederick was 12-for-16 for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns last week. Two of the scores were to Jahi Brown, while Torin Mayhew was on the receiving end of the other one.

Oak Mountain started strong last week, jumping out to a 14-0 lead over Chelsea. Even after the Hornets took the lead in the second half, the Eagles rallied multiple times to tighten the score. 

That fight should bode well in future games for the Eagles.