Younger Eva turns heads at quarterback

HUDSON -- Hudson's most potent returning offensive player watched from the sidelines Wednesday as his brother showcased his talents.

Kenny Eva, sidelined with a back injury, marveled at his younger brother's ability to run the offense. Shannon Eva, who will be a sophomore, sparked the Gold to a 26-0 win over the Red by passing for two touchdowns and scrambling for another.

"Watching him run the football is like watching me. He's got moves," said Kenny Eva, who rushed for 401 yards and scored four touchdowns last season as a junior fullback.

Shannon Eva displayed some nifty footwork as he zig-zagged through the Red defense for an 18-yard touchdown to give the Gold a 12-0 lead in the second half. He closed out the half by connecting with Nathan Toole for a 35-yard touchdown.

Travis Miller, who opened the scoring with a 12-yard run in the first quarter, finished it by catching a 30-yard, over-the-shoulder touchdown pass from Eva.

"Shannon's going to make things happen, because he's going to get the ball," Hudson coach Terry Voyles said.

Josh Bunting, last year's backup quarterback and a rising senior, was expected to replace Rob Petrucci, is no longer the favorite in Voyles' opinion.

Thanks to Shannon Eva's performance Wednesday, the starting spot now "is up in the air," Voyles said. "We're going to have to relook at that in the fall. That's a position I really didn't want to be in.

"Bunting's the better of the two at leadership, but Shannon gets around on the field a little better. Either way, I can't lose, because if Bunting's in the backfield, he can run the ball."

NEED TO KNOW: The Cobras came within one win of .500 last season and, in Voyles' opinion, are on the verge of turning around a lackluster program.

It's all up to the returning players, he insists, emphasizing the need to spend time in the weight room and improve team speed.

"We know we can play with a few people," Voyles said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Nathan Toole and Miller showed some grit in running between the tackles and Miller made a nice interception of a Bunting pass. Jimmy Schumacher also intercepted Bunting, who nonetheless worked well with Maurice Maisonet on several short passes.

Additionally, Toole and Sean Gall played solid as inside linebackers, and Walter Truzack looked strong on the offensive and defensive lines.

KEEP AN EYE ON: You can't miss the Cobras' tallest player.

Eric Giulliams, a 6-foot-7, 170-pounder, lined up at wideout and outside linebacker. He will be a junior and is a soccer player trying football for the first time.

TO BE CONTINUED: Depth in the backfield, especially with the anticipated return of Kenny Eva, and who starts where must be decided in the fall.

Also, the linemen must continue to look as solid as some played in the scrimmage. Along with Schumacher and Truzack, Tim Bentley, Jesse Jordan and Todd Rickle can be included in that mix.

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