PHOTO GALLERY: Eagles begin playoffs at home

The Marco Eagles teams played tough defense, but couldn’t muster enough offense for victories. The teams begin playoffs at Winterberry Park on Saturday.

The Junior Eagles opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown run by Tyler Wallace, but that ended the team’s scoring, losing 12-7 to First Baptist of Naples on Saturday.

“Our defense played well, we just couldn’t get the offense going,” said coach Mike Snyder.

Cameron Reagan and Alex Thompson, defensive ends, helped curtail First Baptist’s running game, but Snyder said the team worked this week on defending the pass.

“We still need improvement on our blocking, but we have improved overall,” he said.

In the Pee Wee Eagles contest, the Eagles were nipped, 13-0 by First Baptist.

Jason Lang, Will Glasser and Stuart Enders led the team in tackles. Coach Eddie Webb gave Jacob Wagner a nod. After playing for three weeks he got his first tackle.

The playoffs began for the Pee Wees on Thursday night, while the Juniors and Seniors play on Saturday at Winterberry Park on Marco.

The Junior Eagles play First Baptist at 9:30 a.m. and Senior Eagles play Community School at 12:30 p.m.

In announcing the playoff games Kevin Van Duser, First Baptist coordinator, gave a special message to all the coaches.

He e-mailed: “We have an exciting two weeks left and looking forward to seeing what will happen in the playoffs. This is the first year for playoffs, and I am hoping that is will be the most enjoyable and competitive weeks yet! Just as I told your sons this past week, just because you lose a game doesn’t mean you are a loser, and just because you won a game doesn’t make you a winner, it is how we react to those wins and loses and what we learn from them that make us winners or losers. Our Attitudes are key to the success that we will have in the future, that’s just life! Our goal is to “Train Young Champions for the Future.” Strong and Loving Husbands, Fathers, CEO’s and Coaches of the future.”