Coach Mike Bargas' team avoided its first 0-2 start in six years. Bargas said he was superstitious about getting the win.
"I wore a different shirt today to dinner," Bargas said. "I'll do anything I can. I'm not normally superstitious, but football night I am, absolutely ... I changed my dinner shirt, I did it all. Did some extra praying. I told the kids, 'We just want to feel good this week.'"
The Eagles (1-1) did not need some divine intervention, just some playmaking on both offense, defense and special teams to top the Seahawks (0-2).
After the game-opening fumble recovery, Laurent was in the end zone five plays later on a one-yard run. Most of his runs Thursday went considerably longer, as he finished with 32 carries for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The passing game also got going, as sophomore Connor Brown completed his first seven attempts of the game in the first half. They were short passes, but they kept the Eagles' drives moving.
Brown's touchdown pass was impressive, as he hooked up with junior Dalton O'Daly in the back of the end zone on fourth and two from the Ocean View five-yard line, giving Estancia a 14-0 lead on its second drive of the game.
The Eagles also scored on their third drive, as Thomas' five-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play, 79-yard drive.
"We're really green," Bargas said. "It shows sometimes, but today they played like they were a little bit older than their years. It's always nice to see that kind of stuff, especially on a Thursday night game, because then you don't have to eat that bitter pill [all weekend]. You come out with a win, and you can breathe for a few hours [on Friday]."
