By Kendall Patterson
CCI Sports Editor
With the return of Friday Night Lights, Eagle stadium was packed and full of sound as Eagles fans were ready to see what the Eagles Football team could do this year.
With the final score of 14-10 for the win, the Eagles did not let their friends and family down in the season-opener versus Trinity Christian Academy.
After a couple drives by both teams, Trinity was first on the scoreboard.
The Eagles responded with a rushing touchdown by quarterback Ethan Burks on a dive into the endzone. Moments before the score, Eagles Peyton Barham and Colton Trice helped get their team in good field position to get the score with 4:58 left in the first half.
The last 15 seconds of the first half was loaded with penalties, and Trinity almost scored, but after a penalty that backed them up with the clock at zero, they decided to go for the field goal. It was no good, keeping the score tied at 7 at halftime.
In the second half, the Eagles sideline and stands went wild on a call that was declared an inverted whistle that was arguably a fumble that would have potentially resulted in an Eagles touchdown.
By the end of that drive, Trinity tried to take the lead with a field goal that was good making the score 10-7.
The next drive resulted in an Eagles touchdown with Burks and Barham getting the ball down field, and Burks getting the score as he dove to take the lead. After the extra point, the Eagles were up 14-10.
With little time left, all the Eagles had to do was hold Trinity one more drive.
The Trinity Lions marched downfield, but while they were within the 10-yard line, they fumbled the ball on a pitch, and the Eagles recovered it, killed the clock and left victorious.
Eagles head coach Dewond Johnson said he was proud of the fight that the CCHS football players had within them.
“We had some breaks that went our way. Our kids just fought and fought and fought, and that’s the thing about it. I told them earlier this is my third year and this is our first opening home game. It’s really special and our kids rose to the occasion against a real good football team,” he said.
Offensive leaders Burks and Barham were a big part of the win.
“They just do what we ask them to do. They’re just great young men, and they’re very coachable and they give us all they got, so what else could you say besides ‘I’m glad they’re on my team,’” Johnson said.
This is Burks’ first year starting and with the great amount of rushing yards that resulted in the two touchdowns, he did not disappoint.
“Burks did a great job for us,” Johnson said.
This week Eagles travel for a tough game at Milan.
