JORDAN - True, the Jordan-Elbridge football program might have been overwhelmed enough by Class B competition to request a move down to Class C.

But Friday night, in the final regular season game of their first Class C independent schedule, the Eagles disposed of a high-quality Class C team - Cato-Meridian - so thoroughly that they appeared almost too good for their new peers.

Jordan-Elbridge was potent on offense and downright nasty on defense in its 25-8 victory, which put the Eagles at 6-1. They'll play next weekend against Clinton at Solvay High School in the first round of a four-team independent playoff tournament.

"I knew we were going to win this game," said senior Tyler Vann, looking more sad than elated after the win, due to playing his final home game. "We have too many good running backs, and our defense has been awesome all year."

Vann kick-started the Eagles on their first play from scrimmage, bursting into the open field and scoring from 42 yards out. He led the Eagles in rushing with 130 yards on 16 carries, but Jordan-Elbridge found other ways to get the job done scoring.

Fred Bush (55 yards) capped a 45-yard drive late in the first quarter, scoring from two yards out to make it 13-0. The drive was highlighted by John Thomas's 20-yard play-action pass completion to Jeremy DeJohn.

The Eagles failed to convert two early Cato-Meridian turnovers, but they cashed in the third time, recovering Jason Brown's fumble at the Blue Devils' 24 with 2:53 left in the second quarter. Thomas (48 yards rushing) plunged into the end zone four plays later for a 2-yard score.

Jordan-Elbridge showed some razzle to go with their dazzle only two minutes later.

After the Eagles took the ball over on downs with 41.8 seconds to play in the half, Bush blooped a halfback option pass to Todd Richardson, who was wide-open by nearly 30 yards. Richardson waltzed into the end zone, and the Eagles took a 25-8 lead that would stand after a scoreless second half.

"We don't get to go to sectionals, so this was like a playoff game for us," said Eagles head coach Mike Smart. "Cato is a legitimate playoff team, and I think emotions carried us in this game."

As effective as Jordan-Elbridge's defense was, its defense continued to be the team's calling card.

The Eagles entered the game having allowed just 40 points in six games. The Blue Devils' lone touchdown came on special teams, Jordan Wright's 75-yard kickoff return late in the first quarter. Cato-Meridian managed only two first downs in the first half, and nine in the game.

"They've got a lot of good players, and they took it to us," said Blue Devils head coach C.J. Hannon. "I was definitely disappointed in how we played, but I don't want to take anything away from Jordan-Elbridge. We couldn't stop them."

The rainy, extra-slick conditions didn't help the slightly smaller Blue Devils, and neither did playing from behind and being virtually forced to pass on long-yardage downs.

Vann, a three-year varsity player, understands why the Eagles moved down into Class C, relinquishing a chance to play in sectionals. But the Eagles have been such a resounding success that he can't help wonder what might have been.

"We got our (butts) kicked every year before this year," he said. "But I think about that every day. We've got a lot of talent."

Cato-Meridian (5-2) now awaits its Section III, Class D opponent for next week, which will be learned tomorrow.

"I saw them play Port Byron last week, and I knew they were good," said Cato-Meridian running back Nick Polmanteer, who led the Blue Devils with 59 rushing yards. "They've definitely got some big dudes, too. But we should've done better."