Soaring Eagles off to 3-0 start, trounce Havre de Grace behind Granado’s 4 scores

And even though the Eagles have won all three of their games this season – outpacing opponents by a combined score of 130-26 – Ricci is still discovering new ways for them to impress him.

Against the Warriors, it was all about the defense. Ricci’s specialty.

Not only did Bo Manor’s defense limit Havre de Grace to zero points, but it also allowed just three first downs in 48 minutes of game time.

The Warriors made it into Eagles’ territory just twice all night, never running an offensive play inside of Bo Manor’s 45-yard-line.

“The starting defense came out and that was the first time we’ve seen them fly around in a really long time,” Ricci said. “Honestly, and this may sound cliché, but it starts with the scout team at practice. They get us ready. We really appreciate those guys that might not get as many reps during the game, but they know that they’re helping this team tremendously, and that allows us to fly around. If I can call my base defense all night and these kids can execute it – and I don’t have to blitz and mix up coverages and everything – then they’re doing a great job.”

Turnovers were also key in setting up Bo Manor’s offense with scoring opportunities throughout the night, with the Warriors coughing up the ball four times, giving them the ball inside the Warriors’ 25-yard-line three times and leading to 21 out of the Eagles’ 28 total points.

Angel Granado, Bo Manor’s star senior quarterback, excelled in capitalizing on Havre de Grace’s mistakes.

He helped lead the Eagles to a balanced offensive attack, completing 11-of-13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, while also racking up 29 yards and two scores on the ground. But, what made Ricci most proud, unsurprisingly, was the effort he put in on the defensive side of the ball.

“We had (Granado) at middle linebacker tonight because we knew they’d want to throw the ball around a little bit,” Ricci said. “And we wanted to get a little bit more speed on the field, so we put him at middle linebacker. He was coming down hill hard all night. And running the ball, passing the ball, he did a fantastic job. He has been the leader.”

The Eagles got off to a slow start, with their first two drives stalling inside the Warriors’ 25-yardline, each ending on failed passes on fourth down, decisions Ricci told his team later that he regretted, having not put enough faith in his field goal unit to take the points instead of risking it.

But, after a lost fumble by Havre de Grace that put Bo Manor at the Warriors’ 24-yard-line to start the second quarter, the Eagles took just three plays to see the end zone, with Granado finding junior Andrew Swyka for the 18-yard score.

That began a string of three-straight possessions with a touchdown for the Eagles, with Granado punching in rushing touchdowns on the following two drives, including a 1-yard score two plays after a Warriors interception.

By the halftime break, Bo Manor held on to a 21-0 advantage and appeared hellbent on keeping it.

The second half was much of the same, with the Warriors struggling to move the ball, which featured another lost fumble that placed the Eagles deep inside their opponents’ territory.

It took Bo Manor three plays inside the Warriors’ 6-yard-line, but Granado was finally able to get the ball to senior Deaven Jones in the back of the end zone to put the Eagles ahead by the game’s eventual final score, 28-0, with three minutes to play in the third quarter.

For the Eagles, the comfortable win was a glimpse into what could be waiting on the horizon as the season progresses.

But, as Ricci is quick to remind everyone, there’s no reason to look that far ahead.

They’ll just take it 24 hours at a time.

“It’s cliché, but we’re not looking at it as 4-0, we’re not looking at it as 3-0, it’s just 1-0,” Ricci said. “I’m going to enjoy this one, then we’ll prep for North East the way we prep every single week. We’re going to do our homework and we’re going to try to come out there and put on a show at home.”

Next up, Bo Manor hosts the North East Indians (0-3) for its first intracounty matchup of the season, while Havre de Grace aims to earn its first victory on the road against the Joppatowne Mariners (2-1).