The Argyle Eagles traveled to Paris and came out with a 38-14 win to continue their undefeated season at 5-0. The team jumped out to a 31-0 lead in the first half, before subbing in a stream of second-string players throughout the final two quarters.

Despite seizing a large lead in the first half, Argyle struggled early in the game, being held to only 3 points in the first quarter and surrendering multiple long runs to Paris.

“We started out rough,” safety Taylor Sweatt said. “Missing tackles early on in the game. We weren’t at our best in the first half but we came back out, got focused, and took over the game.”

The defense’s main problem was opposing quarterback Quez Allen, who ran the read option offense to perfection and scored Paris’ only touchdown against the Argyle first stringers.

“When we came into the game we were thinking hit him in the legs because he’s about 6’4 and doesn’t go down easy.” Sweatt said. “But everyone was trying to take him down high early on. So towards the end of the game we just started swarming to the ball and taking him down.”

Whether it was on Allen dodging three potential sacks to run 14 yards for his only touchdown or on designed running plays, he kept Paris in the game enough to keep the defense fighting for every stop.

“We were trying to tackle him up high which is the wrong thing to do,” DE Hudson Speed said. “But later we started knocking his legs out and taking him down.”

After Argyle established a solid lead heading into the third quarter on the legs of RB Nick Ralston, the arm of Cooper Rodgers, and the hands of Dane Ledford, a lot of the team’s second string players who will be relied upon for depth in this year’s playoff run were given important reps as the game unfolded.

“We had a really big first half so then in the second half those guys who don’t really get to come in that often got a chance,” TE Casey Harper said. “I backup J.C. Chalk and we really wanted to get those guys in the game. We want to get them the experience so that when the starters do leave we have those experiences to fall back on.”

The coaches have a lot of faith in the backup players, thanks in part to their buy-in to the ideals that Coach Rodgers and his fellows have preached since arriving in Argyle.

“We showed that we can stay under control under pressure,” Harper said. “We have a very good fighting mentality and we have guys who out there who know what they’re doing. That shows that we’ve been paying attention in practice, watching the film, and no matter what we know what to do if we go in.”

The veteran players expressed that their faith in their teammates to step up and fill in well helped them feel better about heading to the sidelines. Argyle’s younger players answered the call, only giving up two touchdowns through the final two quarters.

“They did great and they have a ton of potential,” Speed said. “I think Matt Rowe had a great game and Brett Lundy also did very well.”

At the end of the night, Argyle continued the winning streak dating back from last year’s state championship team, and their confidence continues to build as the wins pile up.

“I’m blessed to be like this and on this team,” Sweatt said. “When we first started I was iffy, but as we kept playing I got more confident with each game and I couldn’t be happier with this team.”

Sophomore Dane Ledford was voted the game’s MVP for his performance during the game.