By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Hope Christian Eagles improved to 7-0 on the season on Oct. 4, cruising past North River Christian 61-6 in eight-man football action.

Hope head coach Tony Nafe said the game gave him a chance to play several younger players, giving him plenty of optimism for the future.

“The guys played really well. It gave me a lot of confidence in what we’ve got coming in the future,” Nafe said. “They got some truly valuable experience”

Hope’s rushing leader was Ethan Stewart, with 90 rushing yards on 15 carries. Eighth-grade quarterback Colin Kirkpatrick connected on two of four passing attempts for 56 yards.

Cameron Barnett recorded 42 receiving yards, and Nick Ray finished the night with 26 receiving yards.

Defensive leaders were Timothy Bell, with seven tackles, and Ben Friedlander with five tackles.

Houston Daily scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a 2-yard run, and Ethan Stewart, Dillon Thompson and Kirkpatrick added rushing touchdowns in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Thompson scored on a 52-yard punt return, Reid Allen connected with Nick Ray for a 26-yard touchdown pass and Jonathan Misso ran an interception back 28 yards to score. Chance Washburn also added a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Weston Howe returned a punt nine yards for the final touchdown of the night.