10/20/2018
Matthew Fuller
Undefeated
Not since 1999 have the Jacksonville Golden Eagles had an undefeated year but 2018 may change that. This year the Golden Eagles are 9-0 with only game left to the regular season, but there is a catch, their opponent is also currently undefeated. Hokes Bluff is currently 8-0 and are willing to fight for the same coveted position of remaining undefeated. Next Friday will decide which team wants it more.
Game Summary
The Jacksonville Golden Eagles came into this last home game with an 8-0 record and an eye on the playoffs. The White Plains Wildcats with a record of 2-6 had no plans of letting Jacksonville win without a fight.
The Wildcats chose to receive during the coin toss but were unable to turn that into a touchdown. With 5:46 on left in the first quarter Jacksonville’s Ron Wiggins took a handoff and ran it all the way into the Wildcats end zone. The Eagles extra point attempt was good making the score 7-0.
After a Wildcats false start penalty they were set back making it 2nd and 20. #10 threw a long pass but the intended receiver was not in place; Billy Whitson of the Eagles intercepted the ball and ran it back only to be stopped on the Wildcats 48. The remainder of the 1st quarter was heavily defended by both teams with no change in score.
The second quarter was another defensive battle until 7:17 on the clock and Jacksonville’s Jewels Gray received a handoff and was able to get past the defenders and into the Wildcats end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was through the uprights bringing the score to 14-0.
The White Plains then started a long drive through a series of running plays. With 33.7 seconds left in the half and 3rd and 12, the Wildcats completed a long pass to score against the Eagles. The Wildcats completed the 2 point conversion attempt bringing the score to 14-8 where it remained until the end of the half.
After a series of six handoffs Jacksonville was on the Wildcats 3 yard line. They chose to handoff to Ron Wiggins who was able to get into the end zone again. The extra point was good bringing the score to 21-8 where it remained for the remainder of the 3rd quarter.
During the 4th quarter with approximately 9:06 remaining Ron Wiggins received a handoff. During his drive to push through the defenders an official threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct/personal foul for punching. The official identified Ron Wiggins and he was ejected from the game.
After the Wildcats offense was held back they punted the ball and Jaeden Barksdale was the receiver. Barksdale was able to break past all Wildcat defenders and return the ball for a touchdown. With the extra point being no good the score was 27-8. There were no other scoring opportunities for either team and the game ended with Jacksonville moving forward with a record of 9-0.
Jacksonville Golden Eagles 9-0 will face the Hokes Bluff Eagles 9-0 for the season finally at Hokes Bluff stadium next week.
After Game Interviews
photo by Brody Stanfield
We had a chance to talk to head coach Clint Smith who said ‘’coming out the first half White Plains really used ball control well and kept our defense off their game but during the 2nd half we really flipped it around and we were able to get more plays and possessions on the offense.’’ He said ‘‘were at the point in the season now where were playing for a regional championship and a chance to go 10-0 which is very big for our community which is why we just need to keep practicing and get better and to prepare.’’ When asked about #4 Rontarious Wiggins Coach Smith said ‘’It was just a bunch of jawing and football just guys getting heated that happens throughout the game’’ Coach Smith said finally ‘’Next week we’re going against the best team we’ve played this season so it’ll be a huge test, but my guys have answered the call all year long and we can go get the championship’’ Coach Smith urges the community to ‘’Come down to Hokes Bluff and support us during the hardest game this is when we need everybody the most.’’
photo by Brody Stanfield
#4 Rontarious Wiggins stated going into the game the team ‘’felt pretty good and confident but we knew it was going to be a tough game.’’ Touching on the problems encountered during the 4th quarter Wiggins said this – ‘’ There was a kid with me and we were out of bounds he tried hitting me and I stiff armed him before he could hit me and the refs called it a punch. They don’t know if I’m out the whole next game or what but they are talking about it’’ Later confirmation from Wiggins himself said they made a decision to keep him in the whole game during next week against Hokes Bluff.
photo by Brody Stanfield
#13 Jaeden Barksdale who said ‘’Coming into this game we knew we needed to win. We had confidence and we worked as a team and that’s how we won’’ when asked how team performance he said ‘’I’m happy with everyone we can always get better but we did good’’. Discussing his huge run to score the final touchdown he stated ‘’We had some great blocking and defense covering me and we made a great play. I’m happy to get that win.’’
