High School Football
The Eagles traveled to Crescent for a must win engagement with the Tigers. The Eagles defense got off to a rough start, allowing Crescent to move the ball on the ground before stopping them after a long series. Penalties and miscues by the offense allowed Crescent the ball back with a short field. They quickly took advantage, scoring a short time later. The offense returned only to be pushed backwards and forced to punt. They quickly found themselves down a pair of scores after a failed punt resulted in another touchdown for the opposing team. If not for a huge 50+ yard play from running back, Kannon Kearney, the team would have not gotten onto the Tigers' side of the field. The Eagles went into half-time down 27-0.
The second half showed some life behind the tackling of Trenton Cole, Joe Jackson, Chris Sanders, and the Eagle defense and in the fourth quarter, Jackson connected with senior Brendan Cole on a streak down the Tigers sideline for his career long reception of 40 yards, giving the Eagles life. Joe Jackson would later take it in to score on a quarterback scramble to the left side. Unfortunately, it was too much to overcome, as the team fell short and remained winless on the shortened season.
Although heartbreaking to have gone so long without a notch in the win column, Coach Maynard spoke on the amount of love for the team. "It's beyond difficult when this happens every week, but the boys have shown some real character and haven't given up. We felt confident coming in that we could get this, but you can't just show up, you have to play for four quarters."
The Eagles are off this week with an open date and will return on October 30th for Senior Night at the Eagle's Nest, before concluding the regular season at Hinton. Watongaeagles.tv will be airing both games online as the COVID bug hit the network, starting at 6:30. For the last home game, we're asking the community to come out and support those seniors who have worked hard representing the Eagle Nation.
Junior High Football
The Eagles Junior High football team was in action at home last night, and didn't disappoint the hometown faithful in their first battle off the road. On their first possession, quarterback Aiden Perez scampered for what appeared to be a touchdown, but was waved off by a penalty. Tristan Dobbins took the ball next and pummeled defenders on his way to the endzone. The young Eagles defense lit up the visiting team and on the very next possession took another one to the house on some great running from Chris Garcia. Chiloh Whiteshirt added two more points on the conversion in the back of the endzone. It didn't take long for the home team to add to their total when Dobbins rumbled in for his second TD of the first quarter. The Eagles led 20-0 after one. The offense slowed the game down, but the defense kept bringing the hits, driving the opposition backwards at almost every turn. Whiteshirt grabbed a reception and, after fighting off his defender, scored his first touchdown of the season. Colton Chapman got into the act, converting the second 2- point conversion. Several reserves saw plenty of action tonight, putting their own stamp on the game, and in the second half, Jaxson Ford took a short route for a long gain, scoring his first TD as well. The game was put to rest early, and the Eagles came out with a shutout, 34-0.
Coach Cole told the team how excited he was for everyone to be a part of the victory, but to understand that they have to turn back around on Thursday to play another opponent at home versus Hennessey. The team is asking the community to come out and show support as they protect The Nest at 5:30 p.m.