Providence rolls to easy win over Donoho

The homecoming dance was scheduled for after Providence’s game against Donoho Friday night, but the Eagles did some waltzing of their own, scoring early, often and easily in a 56-0 blanking of the winless Falcons.

How easy was it?

The Eagles (2-3) scored on their first play from scrimmage, a 31-yard touchdown run by Chris Crawford.

Providence thwarted a fake punt attempt on the Falcons’ next drive and scored three plays later on a 15-yard run by Preston Jones.

Jones recovered the first of two first-quarter Donoho fumbles on the next drive and the Eagles scored four plays later on a 3-yard run by Crawford.

Still in the first quarter, Josiah Yance dove on a Donoho fumble at the Falcon 11, setting up one of the few passes in the game, an 11-yard strike from Nick Plagenhoef to Johnny Dowd. With 1:47 still remaining in the first quarter, Providence led 28-0.

The Eagle defense held Donoho to only 35 yards of offense in the first quarter. The Falcons have been outscored a combined 248-9 this season.

Not long after the game started, head coach Emory Latta’s main goals were to keep the team free of injuries, give everyone plenty of playing time and try to keep the team motivated to play hard during a blowout.

“Sometimes these games are hard, but I thought we played with intensity,” Latta said. “We needed to win. Nothing rewards you like winning the football game.“

The Eagles made it 35-0 in the second quarter on a 44-yard touchdown run by Banks Smith. Early in the third quarter, Crawford scored his third touchdown of the game on a 22-yard run. He had 112 yards rushing on just eight carries.

“Chris ran the ball hard. He looked like his old self,” Latta added.

The Eagles’ final scores came on a 7-yard run by Thomas Dannemann and a 2-yard run by Hamilton Jordan.

Overall, Providence finished with 330 yards rushing. The Eagles return to region play Friday night at Florala.