By Brian Pitts
Davie Enterprise Record

The Davie offense developed a rhythm in the first half of Friday’s season opener against visiting Page, scoring three touchdowns in less than six minutes and taking a 22-21 lead into the half against the favored Pirates.
Unfortunately for the War Eagles, the offense wilted in the second half, the defense had trouble all night containing Page’s three-pronged attack (A.J. Capel 108 rushing yards, Jalen Gavin 104 rushing yards and Dominick Britt 51 rushing yards and 100 passing yards) and Page spoiled Devore Holman’s head-coaching debut, 32-22.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad showing by the War Eagles. They were facing a team full of athletes and they held their own until falling out of contention with 6:30 remaining.
“Our effort was there,” Holman said. “Our guys played hard. If you’ve got that, you’ve got a chance. And we had a chance.
“We’re going to evaluate film and we’re going to get better from that. We’re going to make corrections on Monday and get ready for the (West Rowan) Falcons.”
Page outgained Davie 340-252 while holding Cade Carney to 93 yards rushing. Last year Carney averaged nearly 150 per game and topped 100 11 times in 13 tries.
“Cade is not a surprise to anybody anymore,” Holman said of the sophomore. “Our scheme is there. We’ve just got to execute our scheme.”
“He’s a great running back and he got out there a few times,” Page coach Kevin Gillespie said. “We put so much attention on him that sometimes that quarterback (Parker Correll) ran free.”
Page used a 54-yard punt return and Britt’s 27-yard keeper to take a 7-0 lead.
After their first three possessions failed, the War Eagles were searching for a game-turning play. The Austin Gunter-T.J. Freidt combination lit the fuse. Gunter’s pressure and hit forced Britt to make an ill-advised throw that Freidt, a defensive lineman, intercepted at the Page 41.
“That goes to show you what happens when you are swarming to the ball,” Holman said.
Davie then unveiled the wildcat formation for the first time, and the results were money. Carney ran 22 yards and Cameron Coleman went 17. Carney scored from the 1 and Jonn Young’s point-after try tied the game.
“(The War Eagle package, or wild …