krobinett@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - When Eagle starting quarterback Taylor Kelly went down with an injury two weeks ago, Lewiston's players got their hopes up.

As the Mustangs' next opponent in the 5A state playoffs, Lewiston appeared to have caught a break. When they played, Eagle would be without its star junior signal-caller, who threw for more than 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Well, now Lewiston players may be wishing Kelly had been healthy.

Without him, Eagle's backup quarterback Dallas Yorgason led the Mustangs to a 49-26 victory to keep them undefeated and earn a spot in today's state championship game against Highland.

The 49 points scored was a season high for Eagle.

"They're a great team," Highland senior quarterback Taysom Hill said. "They've got a good offense, and they play well. They're undefeated, and a bad team doesn't go undefeated. It's going to be a tough challenge for us."

Without Kelly in the starting lineup, Eagle will rely on its leading running back, Drew McConnell, more than ever. This season, he has more than 1,000 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. But in the playoffs, he has taken even those stats to another level.

In his past two games, McConnell has scored seven touchdowns. And against Lewiston, he rushed for 205 yards.

That effort came without Kelly or starting lineman Bryce Bienz, who is also out with an injury and will miss today's game against Highland.

Yorgason told the Idaho Statesman that the Mustangs are playing for both of them.

"We want to win for them, because they don't have the opportunity to play," Yorgason said. "We have to get it done for Taylor and Bryce."