It was a perfect Friday night for a football game at the Eagles’ Nest, Vertias Christian High’s scenic football stadium carved out of a cornfield. A $5 bill will get you a choice of snack-stand specials, including one that features two hot dogs, a bag of chips, a drink and a candy bar.

The pep band kept things lively from the portable bleachers. And when the Eagles broke a season-opening scoring drought that lasted 101/2 quarters, the kazoo player in the stands belted out a spirited rendition of the “Rocky” theme song.

Heads didn’t hang on a night of imperfect eight-man football.

Sunrise Christian rode the bus back to Wichita in good spirits after scoring a 20-8 victory, and Veritas showed enough progress defensively to be reminded that if you work hard in practice, you really do improve.

Thanks to big hits from Eagles Miles Dressler and Hayden Pine, two of Sunrise’s three two-point conversions failed. Michael Rask and Ben Post made big fourth-down tackles, and Rask intercepted a pass on fourth down.

“The defense played really, really, really, really well,” first-year Veritas coach Jon Brown said. “We need to tackle better on kickoffs, but overall it was a great defensive effort. They fought hard. I’m proud of them.”

Veritas quarterback Mark Weinhold worked under heavy heat most of the night, as evidenced by 40 yards in losses, but he also gained 87 yards.

Weinhold removed the Eagles from the ranks of the scoreless when he took the snap and darted left into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown run with 3:52 left in the third quarter. Rask ran the two-point conversion into the end zone to draw the Eagles within 14-8.

Veritas had lost its first game, 45-0, its second 50-0, so until Weinhold crossed the goal line, the Eagles had been shut out by a combined 109-0.

“It was great that were able to come together as a team and score,” Weinhold said. “We just need to keep practicing hard, and the offense will come to us if we keep working at in practice.”

Weinhold led the team with eight tackles, and Rask pitched in with seven. Seth Hale also made his presence felt on both sides of the ball. He rushed for a team-high 46 yards and made his five tackles hurt.

Veritas (0-3) resumes its schedule at 7 p.m. next Friday at the Eagles Nest against Frankfort High.

Sunrise Christian 6 8 0 6 — 20

Veritas Christian 0 0 8 0 — 8

SC — Bryce Boomsma 1 run (run fail)

SC — Alex Wyatt 5 pass from Andrew Dennett (Braylen Edwards pass from Levonte Parker)

VC — Mark Weinhold 4 run (Michael Rask run)

SC — Wyatt 29 pass from Parker (run fail)