The Jacksonville Stadium Friday night lights came on to illuminate the field of battle for this first round playoff game. The undefeated Golden Eagles were hosting the Rogers Pirates as they were about to determine who would advance. The coin toss resulted in the Pirates electing to receive the ball first and the teams took their places on the field.
The majority of the first quarter was a defensive battle with both teams failing to get into the end zone. Then with only 2:38 remaining in the 1st quarter Rontarious Wiggins received a hand off at their own five yard line and was able to break free from the Pirates defense and run the ball 95 yards for the first touchdown of the game. The Golden Eagles were not able to complete the 2 point conversion and the score was 6-0 at the end of the quarter.
The Pirates were able to score early in the 2nd quarter after a hand off and run past the Jacksonville defenders; the extra point was good and the score was 6-7. With 8:22 remaining on the clock the official called an injury time out for #23 Carter Landers after he sustained a hard tackle. Landers was able to walk off the field with the coaches’ assistance and returned to play later. When play resumed Rontarious Wiggins took a handoff and ran the ball into the end zone for another Golden Eagles touchdown. Jacksonville second attempt at the 2 point conversion also failed to be complete so the score was 12-7. With only 5:13 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Jaeden Barksdale challenged the Pirates defenders after they punted. As the Pirates were bearing down on Barksdale he suddenly picked up the ball and began to run. Barksdale was able to out maneuver the defense and broke free for a 65 yard punt return that resulted in a touchdown. The Golden Eagles again set up for the 2 point conversion and were able to get into the end zone bringing the score to 20-7. The remainder of the 2nd quarter was a defensive battle until the half time horn blew.
At 10:40 in the 3rd quarter Rontarious Wiggins took a handoff and ran the ball into the end zone for another Jacksonville touchdown. The following two point conversion was stopped by the Pirated defense and the resulting score was 26-7. The Pirates were able to defeat Jacksonville’s strong defense and run the ball into the Golden Eagle end zone for a touchdown. With a failed extra point attempt the score was 26-13 with 4:51 remaining in the quarter. Rontarious Wiggins responded by pushing past the Pirates defense to score again with only 3:00 minute remaining in the 3rd. The Jacksonville extra point was good changing the score to 32-13 which remained throughout the remainder of the quarter.
The Rogers Pirates were able to get past the Jacksonville defenders and score with 9:01 remaining in the game. A good two point conversion changed the score to 32-21. The game turned mostly defensive until 3:59 remained on the clock and Rontarious Wigging bulldozed his way through the defense to score another Golden Eagles touchdown and with the good extra point the score was changed to 39-21. The Pirates were unable to respond and the score remained 39-21 until the final horn sounded.
The Jacksonville Golden Eagles remain undefeated and set a new JHS record for being 11-0. The Golden Eagles advance to the next bracket in the playoffs and will play away at Good Hope HS located in Cullman, Al., on November 16.
After the game, reporter Matthew Fuller, was able to interview a few players.
Rontarious Wiggins (#4) who said ‘’We felt like we were prepared really well, we knew Rogers was a good team because in the playoffs nobody is bad’’ and said he felt confident about the next playoffs game stating ‘’we just need to keep working hard’’
Demetrious Hamilton (#61) when asked about how he felt coming into this game he said ‘’We felt great man we came out a little slower than usually but we picked it up and got back to business’’ and also said ‘’next game were going to be 12-0 there’s no stopping’’
Jaeden Barksdale (#13) a player who stood out this game, mentioned that at some points during the game he was unsure of the outcome saying ‘’I’m not going to lie there were some low points where we missed a lot of field goals but were going to keep getting prepared for the next game and get better’’
