WATONGA – Despite their one-point loss to OCA the week before, the Watonga Eagles entered last Thursday’s matchup with a chance to win and make the playoffs.
Unfortunately, Watonga’s final game was decided by a lot more than a single point, as untimely turnovers and a struggling rush defense gave the game to the visiting Hinton Comets, 52-12, on Senior Night.
Phoenix Whiteshirt and Chris Sanders both finished with one touchdown catch for the Eagles, thrown by senior Joe Jackson and junior Trenton Cole, respectively. Senior receiver Deondre Dunn also had a big night for Watonga, finishing his high school career with well over 100 receiving yards.
But it’s the Comets who will play on, led by Levi Taylor and Jake Wright, who collectively ran for more than 310 yards on Thursday. Hinton finishes the regular season with a 6-3 overall record and a 2-3 District line, good for the District’s fourth and final playoff spot.
Watonga finished 6-4 overall but just 1-4 through its tough District slate.
Watonga’s turnover problems started from the very beginning. The Eagles took the opening kickoff and looked for early points, setting up from their 30. But Jackson’s first pass fell incomplete deep downfield and then, on second down, the QB backpedaled and had the ball knocked loose and recovered by the Comets.
Hinton scored the game’s first points moments later, a 16-yard rush from Wright to go up 7-0 with the PAT.
Watonga was able to shake off the start and narrow Hinton’s lead on its ensuing possession. Jackson found Dunn on the sideline, and he gained dozens more yards after the catch. Then Whiteshirt caught a TD from 9 yards out; Watonga went for two but didn’t make it, cutting Hinton’s lead to 7-6.
Those would be Watonga’s final points until garbage time.
Watonga certainly had opportunities. In fact, the game was close throughout the first half. Hinton scored another touchdown right after Watonga’s, pushing its lead to 14-6. But the Comets couldn’t take advantage of Watonga’s second turnover, an interception on their next drive, and punted the ball back. Hinton remained up by eight when the first quarter expired.
Watonga’s next drive spanned nearly the length of the field and was characterized by an interminable series of penalties on both teams that ultimately left the Eagles facing a third-and-goal from 20 yards out. Jackson gained 11 of those yards back, and many teams would have opted for a field goal under the circumstances, but the Eagles have rarely kicked all season long.
They went for it, but
Jackson’s pass fell incomplete and gave Hinton the ball back at its 9-yard line. The Comets proceeded to drive 91 yards and score again, eating most of the second quarter and putting Watonga firmly on its heels.
Seeking points before halftime, Jackson took the ball at his own 37 and looked right for a quick swing pass.
But Jackson’s throw was batted at the line of scrimmage by Hinton’s Seth Spady, who caught the ball on the run and took it home to stretch the Comets’ lead.
Watonga didn’t shy away from passing again on its next drive, needing the points more than ever. Unfortunately, that only gained the Eagles another interception and three more Hinton points before the half. It was a disastrous halfminute for the Eagles, who went from a 15-point deficit to 25 at halftime.
Hinton took the ball to start the third quarter and scored yet again, effectively icing the game early and preempting any comeback attempt the Eagles have been famous for this season.
Emotions were raw after the game, as head coach Skylar Watson consoled his seniors. Despite having just finished his first year with the program, Watson had high praise for his fourthyear leaders.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group of seniors,” Watson said. “They embraced the challenge when I first got here, and took on a new coaching staff. They just bought in all the way.
“This program is better because of these guys. They’ve laid a foundation for these kids to keep moving and growing. They’ve set a standard. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of seniors, and I know they’ll do some great things as the future goes on.”
Watonga’s football seniors included: Jackson, Dunn, Cale Lorenz, Wyatt Steed and Elijah Lauminick.