Everyone has attempted to put a puzzle together in their lifetime. The biggest challenge is taking the time to find the correct spot for each piece and having the patience to see the final results.

The Eagles inched one step closer in the completion of their 2010 puzzle Saturday night under the lights at Jack Miller Stadium against the Hillsdale Chargers. The Chargers came out victorious, edging the Eagles 27-17.

The story of the night was Andre Holmes, the 6’5″ wide receiver from Hillsdale, who caught two touchdown passes and totaled 147 yards on nine receptions. The senior, who is regarded as one of the best receivers in the country, is on many watch lists for next year’s NFL draft.

“He’s a pro prospect and a guy we will watch play on Sundays,” head coach Lee Owens said. “He’s got great speed and great leaping ability, and if he caught the ball in the open field, we knew he was going to score against us.”

The Eagles found themselves within striking distance throughout the game, but could not take command. After Charger kicker Colin McGreevy nailed a 26-yard field goal, the Eagles responded in the first quarter when Taylor Housewright connected with Kyle Jacob in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard scoring strike.

Holmes would respond by showing off the leaping ability Owens talked about by out-jumping the Eagles’ secondary for a five-yard touchdown catch from Troy Weatherhead.

Holmes’ second score of the game was the biggest play of the night, as he and Weatherhead connected on a 69-yard pass, where Holmes caught the ball at midfield and turned on the jets from there, out-running three Eagle defenders. Weatherhead completed 21-of-25 passes for 250 yards and those two touchdowns of the night.

Housewright and the Eagles managed one more touchdown on the night when Mike Knueven found pay dirt on a 17-yard touchdown reception after Housewright rolled to his right under pressure.

The fourth quarter was dominated by the Hillsdale rushing attack and Joe Glendening. Glendening, who carried the ball 38 times for 185 yards and a touchdown, milked the fourth quarter clock and the Eagles’ chance for a comeback as the Eagles had the ball for just 56 seconds in the final quarter. Glendening, in the fourth quarter alone, carried the ball 11 times for 41 yards.

“He [Glendening] is a chunk guy that doesn’t go down and runs through the right hole,” Owens said. “He will wear you out and that’s their philosophy with their offense.”

Housewright finished the night going 11-for-22 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. D.J. McCoy led the team in rushing with 78 yards on 18 carries and Christian Livingston caught three passes for 72 yards in the defeat. Missed opportunities and turnovers were the biggest downfall for Ashland, as they turned the ball over twice and went 2-for-5 in the red zone.

Owens, despite the loss, sees a bright future down the road.

“We’ve got some weapons on offense, and it’s happening right before my eyes, all indications are this will all come together,” Owens said.

“[Antonio] Pickens is getting better, D.J. [McCoy] is going to be solid, we have a tight end and receivers we can throw the ball to. It’s only a matter of time before we start putting big numbers on the board.”

The Eagles will look to put big numbers on the board this week at Northern Michigan, as the Eagles, 1-2 and 0-2 in the GLIAC, look to end a two-game losing streak and earn their first GLIAC win of the year.