Hosting undefeated Muhlenberg County (4-1) to start district play, Ross Milburn scored twice and had 130 total yards to power Apollo to a 34-21 win. The game was delayed just over two hours due to lightning, but that did not faze the Eagles, who scored on their opening drive.
“Muhlenberg County did a good job of finding the bubble in the options,” Apollo Head Coach John Edge said. “Give them credit. They made some key play-action passes on third down, and sometimes they threw on first down. Give that team a lot of credit, but I have to give our team credit because we prevailed in the end.”
After marching down the field, Max Johnson found Eh’Madjai Badger for a 14-yard touchdown. The Eagles defense stood tall on the Mustangs first drive, forcing a turnover on downs at midfield. With great field position, Johnson barreled through for a 29-yard touchdown. Muhlenberg County cut the lead to seven on their ensuing possession, capped off by Clay Wilken running it in from one yard out.
At the end of the first half, Muhlenberg County were on the Eagles’ doorstep, but Apollo punched the ball out and recovered. Full of momentum, Apollo quickly drove down the field, leading to Milburn bursting through from two yards.
The Mustangs scored to start the third quarter, but the Eagles immediately responded with a touchdown of their own when Johnson found Landen Bratcher for a 54-yard strike. Wilken quickly led the Mustangs back down the field, running it in himself for his second score on 4th and five from the five.
A long kick return set up the Eagles on the Mustangs’ 45, leading to Milburn running it in for his second score of the game, this time from one yard out, to cap off the win.
“Anytime you can start district play 1-0, it’s great,” Edge said. “We have to keep improving in our run game, and we have to be able to stop the run. We just need to keep improving one day at a time and in each practice.”
