The Hernando Eagles probably did not need much motivation to handle the Tampa Bay Thunderbolts, but they got some anyway Saturday afternoon.
Hearing that Southern States Football League rival St. Petersburg had lost 7-6 to the Florida Barracudas, the Eagles came out at Tom Fisher Stadium on Saturday night and dominated the Thunderbolts 69-6.
The Eagles (4-1) lost to the Sharks the previous week, but are tied with the Sharks and Barracudas for second place in the National Conference behind the unbeaten Duval Lions.
"We can still have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs," player/owner Abraham Dowdell said. "That just put more hope in these guys."
Against the Thunderbolts (0-4), losers of their first three games by a combined 130-0, Hernando came out firing. Four first-quarter possessions all led to touchdowns and the halftime score was 45-0. By game's end the offense had five touchdowns and the defense had three off interception returns.
John Jones started the game at quarterback in place of regular starter Anthony Crescenzo and scored on a quarterback keeper. Dowdell ran for a touchdown and threw for another and running back Jerome Tillman had two rushing scores.
The Eagles are at home Saturday against the Orlando Rage (3-2).
