10/13/2018
Matthew Fuller
The undefeated Jacksonville Golden Eagles were away this week to play the Oneonta Redskins. This was perhaps one of the hardest games fought for the two teams this season. Jacksonville won the coin toss and chose to keep the ball. Oneonta was able to score first with a touchdown with a good extra point with 6:19 left in the first quarter. Jacksonville responded with a touchdown of their own, with a good two-point conversion, with 5:49 remaining on the clock bringing the score to 7-8, Golden Eagle lead.
During the second quarter both teams defensive lines worked hard to keep the other from advancing. With 6:49 remaining in the quarter, Oneonta scored and kicked a good extra point. The Redskins then scored again with a good extra point leaving only 4:14 remaining in the half. Jacksonville was trailing Oneonta 21-8. During Oneonta’s next possession they attempted a long pass play. Jewels Grey of the Golden Eagles intercepted the pass and the Golden Eagles were able to maintain control until the end of the half.
During the half-time show the Jacksonville Golden Eagles Marching Band proudly displayed their new uniforms. The new uniforms represent the school colors of blue, white and gold and have a sharper look to them.
When game play resumed Jacksonville was able to score a touchdown but failed to complete an attempted 2 point conversion bringing the score to 21-14. The remainder of the third quarter was a defensive battle and neither team was able to score.
The fourth quarter was a continued battle for the defensive lines and forward progress was held back. Omarion Adams, who had been benched for the first half due to a team rule violation, was able to make it up to his teammates. With only 18 seconds remaining in the game Adams was able to complete a pass reception and run the ball into the end zone. Instead of attempting the extra point for the tie, the Jacksonville Golden Eagles coaching decided to attempt a two point conversion to take the lead. Rontarious “Ron” Wiggins ran the ball past the defensive lineman, earning the two point conversion pushing the Golden Eagles into the lead by one. Oneonta was unable to score again when the final horn sounded, making the final score 21-22 and putting the Golden Eagles undefeated record at 8 – 0.
When the game had concluded we had a chance to interview Omarion “Peanut” Adams, #1, who made the impressive catch. When asked how he felt about the game he stated ‘’I was a little worried because when I came into the game we were down 21 to 8’’ when talking how the game changing catch he made he said ‘’I saw the ball and just played it out in my head. Without thinking I just knew it was mine when I saw it.’’ But overall he said ‘’I’m happy with our performance especially the rest of my team because I felt it was my fault we were down in the first place’’.
Rontarious Wiggins, #4, stated he ‘’knew it was going to be a tough game playing against Oneonta’’ when asked about how he felt towards the end of the game he said ‘’we were down a lot but we knew what we were capable of we just had to get down and do it and we did.’’ He concluded his statements praising the rest of his team saying ‘’we always win as a team and as long as were winning together I’m happy’’
