POWERS — The second half was unkind to the Carney-Nadeau Wolves here Saturday as they dropped a 78-40 football decision to the Engadine Eagles.

Carney was within 44-34 following a 26-yard pass from senior quarterback Max Baumler to classmate Jake Blahnik in the back of the end zone just 18 seconds before halftime.

The Wolves, however, couldn’t keep up with the Eagles in the second half of this Great Lakes Eight crossover contest.

“We had too many mistakes in the second half,” said C-N coach Jim Belec. “Engadine looked just as tired as we did, they just made a couple more plays than we did.”

The Wolves were within 28-26 after Baumler fired a 61-yard pass to senior Brett LaFord early in the second quarter.

Senior Hunter Dennis then provided the Eagles with two scores on a 12-yard run around right end and a 15-yard dash around left end for a 44-26 cushion.

“We’re real pleased with the effort,” said Belec. “Our quarterback was pretty much right on except for two little mistakes. He threw one pass into double coverage and overthrew our receiver and didn’t see the safety on the other. We were able to find the openings.”

Engadine (3-1) scored three times in the third, extending its lead to 64-34 on Dennis’s six-yard run off left tackle.

“At halftime, we had a little talk and played with more intensity in the second half,” said Engadine coach Howard Hood. “We made a few adjustments in our secondary and our offensive line has been working real well the past few games.”

The Eagles took an early 8-0 lead on Ian McArthur’s four-yard pass to senior Charlie Snider with eight minutes, 18 seconds left in the opening frame.

Carney responded within 55 seconds, climbing within 8-6 on Baumler’s 63-yard bomb to Blahnik.

The teams traded TDs until Dennis’s scores midway through the second stanza.

It took 50 minutes to complete the first quarter and two minutes, 15 seconds to reach the intermission. The teams combined for 180 plays.

“That was a long half,” said Belec. “They’re a good team. We definitely have something to build on. Our defense just needs to make more stops.”

Engadine amassed 504 yards in total offense. The Eagles gained 420 on the ground and McArthur hit 5-of-11 passes for 84 yards and two TDs. Senior Kyle Gould rushed for 153 yards and four TDs on 13 carries and Dennis added 135 yards and three scores on 15 attempts.

The Wolves finished with 359 yards, including 286 through the air on Baumler’s 12-of-24 effort with four TDs and two interceptions. LaFord ran 21 times for 76 yards and two scores and caught seven aerials for 131 yards and a TD. Blahnik snagged three TD passes for 120.

“Hats off to Carney-Nadeau,” said Hood. “They played a good game. They have some real good athletes.”

C-N hosts third-ranked Forest Park Friday at Powers. Engadine visits Superior Central Saturday.