Jacksonville, AL – Golden Eagles finally claim The Paddle they designed after Alexandria held onto it the first three years
By Al Muskewitz
Clint Smith called his players out of the sauna that was their dressing into the cool evening air to make a special presentation. He called his seniors up to the front of the gathering and at the most dramatic moment pulled out the prize they had been waiting four years to hold.
Smith held high over his head the fraternity-style paddle that has become the symbol of the Golden Eagles’ rivalry with Alexandria. They designed the darned thing and have never gotten to hold it until Friday night. With their 24-10 win at Lou Scales Stadium, the Golden Eagles ended the Valley Cubs’ three-year hold on the paddle.
“Kids watch college football, they watch all the big rivalry things, a few years ago we were able to get the paddle thing going,” Smith said. “We talk about it all the time, every year we play. We’re just glad it’s coming back to Jacksonville. It’ll be in our trophy case, no doubt and we’re thrilled to have it. It’s going to look good sitting up there for a year. Hopefully, we can keep it.”
The Golden Eagles made paddle for the 2019 game fully intending to bring it back home, but the Valley Cubs had different ideas. They ripped it out of Jacksonville’s hands that first year and then won the next two games in the series handily, meaning this year’s Jacksonville seniors were in danger of going their whole career without holding the prize they designed if they didn’t come through Friday.
And they did come through, answering a halftime challenge by shutting out the Valley Cubs in the second half and holding them to 30 yards total offense (minus-12 rushing) in the final two quarters. “We were close the first half on a couple plays, but really just put it all together right there in the second half,” Smith said. “We talked about at halftime that if we wanted it we were going to have to go take it, and that’s what they did. They went and took it the second half.” [*** read more]
Jacksonville 24, Alexandria 10
