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Despite taking an early lead and outplaying the West Vigo Vikings for much of the first half in its first home game Friday night, Brown County dropped to 0-3 (0-1 Western Indiana Conference) on the season with a 24-7 loss.

The easy answer for why the Eagles collapsed jumps right out from the box score: They committed six turnovers.

“Turnovers. I mean (six) turnovers. You’re not going to win the ballgame,” Brown County Coach Ken Wendling said. “That’s the best we could play in the first quarter. We played well. Then, second quarter, things turned around totally. Then the second half things really started caving in.”

The Eagles opened the game by driving deep into West Vigo (2-1, 1-0 WIC) territory after taking the opening kickoff. With the ball on the 25-yard line, running back Cody Bechtel took an inside handoff and had it stripped, giving the Vikings the ball. On the ensuing possession the Vikings gave it right back after Cole Lydick fumbled.

From there the Eagles’ offense moved the ball 56 yards on eight plays, capping off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Konnor Graber. The quarter ended with Brown County up 7-0.

West Vigo finally answered on third-and-20 from the Eagles' 47-yard line. Quarterback Lance Garrett somehow found a wide open Chase Silcock for a 47-yard touchdown strike to tie the game up at 7-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Brown County’s Kaleb Totten fumbled on his own 36-yard line.

The Vikings struck right back, putting together a four-play, 36-yard touchdown drive that Garrett finished off with a five-yard touchdown run. From there the Eagles seemed to lose a little spirit.

“We’re just not real smart right now,” Wendling said. “The effort is there most of the time it’s just that we’re making a lot of stupid mistakes.”

Considering the dire straits the offense put it in with so many turnovers, Brown County’s defense comported itself well.

“This was a good game for us and I thought Brown County presented a good challenge and they came out and played hard. I saw improvement from Brown County,” West Vigo head coach Jeff Cobb said. “Every time we come down here it’s a good game.”

According to their coach, something has to change for the Eagles going forward.

“Our kids have to become mentally tough,” Wendling said.

-- Ryan Phillips, freelance correspondent