In the quarterfinals of the State playoffs, the Allen Eagles took on the Denton Ryan Raiders.

Kyler Murray, three time state champion was back in town to watch the Eagles take care of business against the Raiders in a convincing 48-27 win.

“Just always good [being back] watching the young guys come out here and carry on the tradition” Murray had to say about his homecoming.

The Eagles would kick off to the Raiders to start the game and they quickly forced a 3 and out, and with Mitchell Jonke in at quarterback the Eagles they would drive down the field into the redzone, but would be forced to be kick a field goal after two incomplete passes to the end zone. Sione would have a big sack with 8 minutes left in the first quarter to bring up 2nd down and long for the Raiders, but two strong runs and they came up with the first down. The drive would come to a halt with 6 minutes left in the first half after an interception by Anthony Taylor. Jonke would throw a 24 yard pass to get into the redzone, and then a Kirby Bennett run to the 1-yard line would set up a quarterback sneak into the endzone to increase the lead to 10-0 with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. After Ryan’s third three and out, Jonke would come in and air it out to Camden Harrison to keep the wheels turning for the Eagles and go up 17-0.

Allen’s defense, again, was the stand out for the game, forcing multiple three and outs and making sure Denton Ryan would not complete any of their fourth down conversions.

“People are confident in what we do” linebacker Sione Tupou said. “We’re a strong defense. Give us an opportunity and we’ll stop them.”

Ryan would get onto the board, partly in thanks to a defensive pass interference that would give them a fresh set of downs inside Allen territory, and would allow them to kick a field goal with 11:38 left in the second quarter.

After being forced to punt, Allen’s returner would call for a fair catch, but end up touching the ball, and Ryan would recover it in the end zone for their only touchdown of the half.

The Warriors also attempted several onside kicks with no avail, the first one coming with 9 minutes in the second quarter, which would set up a 24-yard pass from Jonke to certified deep ball threat Camden Harrison for a touchdown to go up 24-10.

The game would slowly slip away from the Warriors, as Kirby Bennett and company would pound their run defense. Bennett would have multiple 20-plus yard carries.

“Them being able to be successful in the run game definitely opens up the passing game” Offensive Coordinator Kyle Westerberg said.

Despite having a tipped pass that was intercepted Mitchell Jonke would play the majority of the game, with Westerberg only putting back up Seth Green in as the fourth quarter wound down.

“He did a good job executing the gameplan, and driving the ball down the field” Westerberg said.

Jonke would have a 37-yard TD run in the third quarter and the Eagles wouldn’t look back much after that, scoring once more with five minutes left in the third, kicking a field goal, and then a Kirby Bennett touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Allen will play the winner of the Atasocita Eagles and Westlake Chaparrals game next week.