The Rock Island offense came alive Friday night, but special teams breakdowns helped Dunlap — a team picked by the Peoria Journal Star to go to the Final Four in Class 6A — outscore the Rocks 27-14 in the second half of a 41-31 Eagles win at Rock Island. Rocks QB Jae’Vion Clark-Pugh was outstanding, throwing touchdown passes of 32 yards to Elijah Venegas, 38 yards to Evan Ellis, and 17 yards to Keyonte Farrow. He finished with 259 yards passing and was named Hungry Hobo Rock Island Rocks Player of the Game.
The Rocks led 17-14 at the half after Jonas Cortez gave them the lead for the third and final time with a 21-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. But Dunlap, who had gained excellent field position with long kickoff returns throughout the first half, returned the second half opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and a 20-17 advantage. Another score midway through the third made it 27-17.
The Rocks answered with an 84-yard interception return by V Jay Garrard to close within 27-24 at the end of the third. But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Eagles QB John Barger found a wide open Dawson Marmion for a 60-yard TD and a 34-24 lead. Clark-Pugh’s scoring pass to Farrow came with 8:50 remaining and made it 34-31. But the Eagles ground out a 10-play, 55-yard drive, capped off with the final TD with just 2:49 to play.
Temar Hudson led the Rocks’ rushing attack with 62 yards on 16 carries. Leading receivers were Venegas (9 receptions for 86 yards), Ellis (4-62), Farrow (4-58), and Dai’Shaun McCaw (3-40). Four-star recruit Mack Sutter led the Eagles’ attack with six catches for 121 yards. The Rocks (0-2) will travel to Quincy to face the 2-0 Blue Devils next Friday night.