Eden Valley-Watkins played its homecoming game Friday, Oct. 2, against a very tough Melrose team. The Dutchmen prevailed with a 26-12 conference victory. Melrose jumped out to an early 14-0 first-quarter lead, but EV-W?Äôs Deshaun James brought back a kickoff for a 66-yard scoring scamper to ease the blow. James followed up that performance with a 33-yard touchdown reception late in the first half to pull the Eagles to within two points. However, that ended Eden Valley-Watkins?Äô scoring efforts for the evening, and Melrose rang up a dozen more points in the final stanza, to seal the win. The Eagles saw Melrose?Äôs Zack Pierskalla tote the ball 38 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
EV-W Highlights: Deshaun James 66 kick return (pass failed); James 33 pass from Reese Jansen (pass failed); Individual Stats: Rushing: Jansen 6-8, James 4-16, John Salzl 8-69; Passing: Jansen 9-26-0 126; Receiving: Jake Streit 1-13, Travis Thielen 3-44, Greg Lux 3-33, James 1-33, Salzl 1-2. The Eagles close out the season Friday, Oct. 9, when they battle the Irish at Maple Lake.