Eagle Pass Eagles edged by Laredo United South Panthers 34-24
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles valiantly battled the District 29-6A leader Laredo United South High School Panthers in a key District football game for 48 minutes on Friday, October 14, 2016, in Eagle Pass, Texas, but were nudged by the visiting Panthers 34-24 with 10 points scored by the Panthers in the fourth quarter to earn the victory. The Eagle Pass Eagles fall to 4-3 overall in the season and sport a 2-2 record in District standings.
The Eagles locked-in with the visiting Panthers in a very physical and hard fought football game despite being decimated by injuries during the season. The Eagles defense forced the explosive Panthers offense to punt on their first possession of the game.
The Eagles started their first possession at their own one yard line and engineered a perfect drive of 99 yards into the Panthers end zone on several sensational runs by standout Eagles Quarterback Ricky Medina, including a 33 yard touchdown sprint and the point after attempt by place kicker Jose Riojas was good to give the Eagles an early 7-0 lead with 6:43 minutes left in the first quarter.
After exchanging possessions in a tough defensive battle between both teams, the Panthers orchestrated an 80 yards touchdown drive against the Eagles wrecking crew defense, culminating in a 15 yard touchdown pass from Panther Quarterback Ismael Contreras to wide receiver Julian Zertuche and the extra point was good to tie the game 7-7 with 2:42 minutes left in the first period.
In the second quarter, the Panthers intercepted an Eagles pass and capitalized on the turnover by marching 80 yards for a touchdown, resulting in a 35 yard TD pass from Quarterback Ismael Contreras to Running Back Edgar Cavazos and the point after attempt was good agains by place kicker Johan Portales to give the Panthers the lead 14-7 with 8:29 minutes left before half-time.
The Eagles battled back and scored a 26 yards field goal by place kicker Jose Riojas to narrow the score 14-10 with 4:29 minutes left in the second quarter. Both teams exchanged interceptions, but the Panthers added a 35 yards field goal by place kicker Johan Portales immediately before half-time and took a 17-10 lead over the Eagles at half-time.
The mighty Eagles Marching Band and the Diamond Dance Team entertained the loyal Eagles football aficionados during half-time. The mighty Eagles Band added a new twist to their half-time show by allowing each band member parents to join them and march with them to the delight of the Eagles Nation fans.
In the third quarter, the Panthers quickly scored on a one play 43 yards touchdown drive as standout Running Back Jesus Podada bursted up the middle of the Eagles defense for a quick six and the point after attempt was good, giving the Panthers a 24-10 lead with 9:07 minutes remaining in the third stanza.
Both teams exchanged interceptions on their ensuing possessions. The Eagles offense orchestrated a 73 yards touchdown drive against the Panthers stingy defense, culiminating with a sensational 22 yards run into the end zone by Quarterback Ricky Medina and the point after attempt by place kicker Jose Riojas was good to make it a game at 24-17 in favor of the Panthers with 5:27 minutes left in the third quarter. The Eagles crest rose with momentum stopping the potent Panthers offensive machine on their next drive.
The Eagles rode their momentum to a game tying 87 yards touchdown drive led by spectacular runs by Quarterback Ricky Medina, including a 48 yards gainer, resulting in an eight yards blast run into the end zone by standout Running Back Mark Venegas and the point after attempt by place kicker Jose Riojas was good knotting the score 24-24 each with 1:23 minutes left in the third quarter. The Panthers brain trust could not believe the Eagles surge to tie the game.
In the fourth quarter, the Panthers combined ground and air offensive attack managed to tally a touchdown and a field goal against the Eagles banged-up defense on an eight yard TD run by Running Back Juan Castro and later on a 35 yards Field Goal by standout left-footed place kicker Johan Portales to close out the scoring and earn a hard fought District 29-6A victory over the Eagles. The Eagles never quit during the game as Running Back Mark Venegas kept telling his teammates that “the game isn’t over, there is still time left” during the waning minutes of the game. Despite their best efforts and valiant fight, the Eagles decimated offensive and defensive injuries precluded them from defeating the Panthers on this evening.
The Eagles under the direction of Head Coach Tom Gonzalez and staff are to be recognized for their extraordinary effort and play against the Panthers. The Eagles will regroup and prepare for next week’s opponent, Laredo United Longhorns.
The Eagles fall to 4-3 overall in the season and 2-2 in the highly competitive District 29-6A. If the Eagles are to make the playoffs this year, they will have to win against Laredo United Longhorns, San Antonion Southwest Dragons, and Del Rio Rams in their final three games or at least win two of three remaing games.
The Eagles will play Laredo United Longhorns on Satruday, October 22, 2016, at 7 P.M. at. the Laredo UISD Student Activity Complex in Laredo.
