The Eagles lost their playoff game in Mineral Wells on Friday to Abilene Wylie 35-14. The Wylie Bulldogs ran for 357 yards on 40 carries, averaging nearly 9 yards per carry. The Eagles offense did have some success with 293 yards of total offense with a much more balanced attack. Star quarterback Dane Ledford had a very solid game for the Eagles as he threw for 182 yards and ran for 76 and two scores. Brooks Pepper carried the load for Wylie as he ran for 244 yards with 2 touchdowns on just 18 carries. 

“They’re a really good team,” senior Jack Williams (74) said. “They didn’t make mistakes, and they played well the whole game.”

The defenses both played well in the first half. The Eagles were shut down by the Bulldog defense. Likewise, the Eagles defense played well; however, they did allow two scores in the first half. Both defenses showed signs of cracking in the second half as Wylie scored on their only completed pass of the night, giving them a 21-0 lead over the Eagles. Following that, the Eagles scored a touchdown late in the third quarter, as to cut the deficit to 14 points. The two teams went back and forth, but the second touchdown for the Bulldogs gave them an insurmountable 21 point lead. The Eagles added another score, but it was too little too late, and the Bulldogs ran down the clock and scored at the end of the fourth quarter to win the game 35-14.

“It’s awful,” Ledford said. “It’s the worst feeling in the world, but you just have to keep your head up high and believe that everything is going to be okay.”

Overall, the Eagles had a tremendous season, not only in the win column but with the challenges that were overcome, such as Ledford’s injury and having to replace most of the wide receivers and the running back from last year. This team showed us that everything was going to be okay in the future without star players, such as Ledford and the senior led offensive line. Some high points of the season were the emergence of junior Don Williams (7) and sophomore Hayden Clearman (12). Williams was named the starting running back during two-a-days after being relatively unknown, rarely playing last year. Williams was phenomenal this year rushing for 1,499 yards 23 touchdowns, averaging 7 yards per carry. Clearman was an unknown sophomore who suited up for the Lovejoy game but didn’t play until after Ledford’s injury. In the game against Lagrange, Clearman played only one drive but lead the Eagles to the game winning touchdown. During the next two games, he led the Eagles to back to back blowout wins. These two players look to build on their spectacular breakout seasons.

Next year, to build on to the success they had this year, the Eagles are going to have to replace some very talented groups as most of the defensive line and the entire offensive line are seniors. However, juniors Preston Coyle and Dawson Sarratt look to take major roles on the line after two years backing up on varsity. On the defensive side, the Eagles will look to Hayden Mouser, Mason Thrash, Kaden Roberts, Sam Smiley, and Preston Wilson to lead the line. Juniors Cale Nanny and Chase Estrada are going have to build on strong seasons to continue the Eagles’ passing attack. The DB’s are looking to build after strong debut seasons by Slater Wright, Brenden Dixon, and Chase Petter. Overall the team is in good hands and will hope to build on a very strong season this year.