The Escambia County Middle School Eagles soared past UMS-Wright Middle School in a 38-0 shutout Thursday in Atmore.

The Eagles took the lead almost immediately on a kickoff return by Fred Flavors. Coach Barry Larkin credited practice for the success of the run back.

“We practice that,” Larkin said. “My coaches and myself teach the kids to return balls for a touchdown. We teach them how to line up and how to shield.

“We tell them every game that ‘you can run them back,’ and I guess they believe they can do it.”

Larkin said practice has been a big key to success for the Eagles this season, who finished 4-1 and only lost to Saraland at home.

“We emphasize not giving up,” Larkin said. “We stress that anybody can win a game on any given day.”

The Eagles’ Louie Turner had a big game in a contest where everybody who dressed out got to play, Larkin said.

“That’s one of the reasons we didn’t score more,” Larkin said, of playing everybody. “I didn’t want to run up the score.”

Overall, Larkin said he was happy with his team after the successful season.

“If I said I didn’t feel really good about this season I’d be lying,” Larkin said. “This is one of the best middle-school teams I’ve ever coached.

“I feel like we’ve had a great season and I’m really proud of the kids,” he said.