**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**
The Frankenmuth Eagles would head into a matchup with the Swan Valley Vikings on Thursday to open TVC play. Swan Valley would open the scoring in this one with a bang, as Colton Klein hooked up with Logan Zahn on a 75-yard touchdown pass on the Vikings first play from scrimmage. Frankenmuth would be forced to punt on their first drive. Swan Valley again would get their offense rolling, as they drove deep into Eagles territory until a sack forced the Vikings to settle for a FG. Still, Swan Valley couldn’t have asked for a better start, ahead 9-0.
That excitement would not last long. The Eagles would get things rolling quickly in the second quarter with a Sam Barger 41-yard touchdown run. Will Souliere would add the PAT to make this one 9-7, Swan Valley. From there the flood gates would open.
Frankenmuth would take their first lead of the game early in the second quarter on a Souliere 28-yard FG. The Eagles would strike again, this time through the air on an Aiden Hoard 19-yard touchdown pass to Riley Hubbard making it 17-9. They weren’t done in the half, as the punt return team had something to say. The Vikings were forced to punt, and Jake VanderHaar blocked the punt, allowing Frankenmuth to set up shop at the Swan Valley 25-yard line. On the next play, Barger would make the Vikings pay on a 25-yard touchdown run. This would put the Eagles up, 24-9. Just when the wheels could not fall off any faster, Swan Valley would give Frankenmuth the ball back with just 8-seconds remaining in the half. This time Hoard would connect with Jonah Sholten on a 59-yard touchdown pass. Just like that, Frankenmuth would take the lead into the half, 31-9.
Swan Valley would come out of the half and get themselves right back in this one as they picked off an Eagles pass that would give them great field possession. Shortly thereafter, Tyler Drain would find himself in the endzone on a 3-yard touchdown run. This would cut the lead to fifteen, 31-16. Frankenmuth would seize the momentum back when they would strike in just four plays on a 66-yard touchdown run by Barger putting the Eagles up, 38-16. Dayne Reif would then give the Eagles the ball back deep in Vikings territory. Swan Valley held serve and contained Frankenmuth to a 35-yard Souliere FG.
That would be the end of it offensively, as both teams were held scoreless in the fourth quarter, giving the Eagles a 41-16 win. Swan Valley was able to move the ball at times, but just couldn’t keep the momentum in this one for long. Barger led the Eagles with 148 yards rushing on just 9 carries. Hoard threw just 6 times but wound up with 135 yards through the air and two touchdown passes. Riley Hubbard also had an interception in this one to go with his touchdown catch.
Frankenmuth will head back home next Friday to face a stingy Birch Run team led by standout Khaleel Brown. Frankenmuth opens at 2-0 on the year, and Birch Run will head in 2-0 after another impressive win over Bay City John Glenn.
