At John Kincaide Stadium in Dallas this Friday night, the 3A D2 Regional Championships culminated in a resounding Eagle victory over the Gilmer Buckeyes. With a final score of 45-38, the game was by far the toughest the boys played this season, as the two teams traded touchdowns all the way to the end.
The Buckeyes caught an early lead five minutes into the game. The crowd held its breath for a minute, stunned to witness opponents who had scored ahead of their boys. Yet not three minutes later Drew Estrada intercepted a pass and Ian Sadler scored to tie the game up at an even seven points. Sadler and Jon Michael Pucciarello then proceeded to stack up two additional unanswered touchdowns, putting the Eagles ahead at 21-7.
Among some of the highlights were Dalton Ledford’s nearly stolen return from the Buckeyes as well as Nick Ralston’s powerful charges through the defenders. It seemed that this would be just another typical night out for the Eagles. But the Buckeyes responded furiously, and one of their own managed a field-length run for a touchdown. Shortly after, a fumbled return by Thompson put the Buckeyes in the red zone again. An intense standoff resulted on the Eagles’ 1 yard line, and the boys nearly warded off another touchdown by the Buckeyes, but the opponent pushed through and tied up the game again at 21 points.
The second quarter burned out slowly, with both teams temporarily exhausted against each other’s defenses. Famed Cole Hedlund was able to give his team a slight but crucial lead with a last minute field goal, so that the first half concluded with the Eagles winning 24-21.
Early in the third quarter, the Buckeyes took the lead again at 28-24. But the boys pushed back and Sadler dove into the end zone for his third time that night to put the team back on top. Hunter Treadwell dominated against Gilmer in the second half, making numerous critical tackles and recovering a Buckeyes’ fumble in the third quarter, setting up Ralston and Sadler for yet another thunderous drive into the end zone. With the score at 38-28, the Buckeyes fought hard to bring the game back, but the Eagles held them at the 13 yard line and a field goal, and then Sadler scored again. On the Buckeyes’ last drive, Connor Wilson pulled a massive hit to stop a touchdown pass, and both crowds gasped in unison.
Afterwards, the two teams shook hands and the Eagles gathered around Coach Rodgers and the Regional Championship trophy which they had won. Next friday, the Eagles face the Gladewater Bears (7-6-0) in the Quarterfinal round at Kincaide Stadium again. The crowd was awesome this time, but it can still get bigger! C’mon out and support the team, Argyle!
