EAST LAKE – The Eagles (3-0, 1-0) used a strong ground game and a stout defense to defeat the Green Devils (2-1, 0-1), 17-7.

On East Lake’s first drive, Eagles got big runs from Tupac Blanch (30-yarder) and Xavier Jackson (22-yarder) before Jackson took it in for the score from 3 yards out. St. Pete would answer on their third drive when D’Quante Lumpkin scored on a 43-yard run on a fake punt. Eagles kicker Ian Woodward connected on a 39-yard field goal on the last play of first half to make it 10-7.

On first drive of second half, East Lake’s Bryce Miller scored on a 50-yard catch and run from quarterback Jackson Rowland. Green Devils would threaten again with two minutes left in the game after a 52-yard catch and run by Adul Yates Jr from quarterback Austyn Causey but would turn the down over on downs inside the 10-yard line.

Eagles’ Xavier Jackson rushed 31 times for 199 yards and 1 touchdown, Bryce Miller had 3 catches for 75 yards and 1 touchdown (his 6th of the season), Jackson Rowland had 136 total yards and 1 touchdown pass, and Tupac Blanch rushed 3 times for 43 yards.

East Lake defense had contributions from Joshua Fletcher (sack and 2 quarterback hurries) and Isaiah Mitchell (sack, quarterback hurry & tackle-for-loss).

St. Peterburg’s D’Qaunte Lumpkin had a tackle-for-loss and quarterback hurry in addition to his fake punt touchdown run, Jalynn Williams had a forced fumble and fumble recovery, Matthias Boyd had 2 tackle-for-losses, and Aaron McGriff Jr had a sack.