By Caneisha Turner
Sports Writer
The Chester County Eagles were at home this week as an underdog facing the South Gibson County Hornets. The two teams met on the field a day early, to get ahead of the rain Friday from Hurricane Helene.
Thursday’s clear skies and pleasant temperatures made it perfect football weather.
Going into the game as an underdog, the Eagles managed to pull out a 28- 19 victory and now hold a record of 2-0 in region play and 3-2 overall this season.
South Gibson put the first score on the board on a 20-yard pass. The PAT was unsuccessful giving the Hornets a 6-0 lead going into the second quarter on the 36-yard line. Their second score of the night followed a fumble by Chester County that was recovered by the Hornets.
South Gibson took control of the game on a 42-yard pass (PAT good) and a 23-yard pass (PAT no good), bringing the score to 19-0 in favor of South Gibson.
The Eagles finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a touchdown. The first was scored on a four-yard run by Peyton Barham (PAT good), bringing the score to 19-7 at the end of the second quarter.
Coming out of the locker room to start the third quarter, the Eagles put another 14 points on the board with a 31-yard pass from quarterback Ethan Burks to receiver Peyton Barham. Linkin Phillips added the extra point. The score was now 14-19 with the Eagles dominating both sides of the ball.
The second score of the quarter came on a 21-yard pass from Burks to Jordan Hunt. Phillips’ extra point was good. The Eagles took the lead for the first time of the night, 21-19.
Chester County solidified the win in the fourth quarter with a 35-yard pass from Burks to Hunt, his second TD of the night. Phillips was perfect for the night, making all the extra points of the night.
The game ended with the Eagles on top 28-19. The boys in blue raked up 107 yards through the air and another 150 yards on the ground, a total of 257 yards of offense for the night.
“I feel very good,” said Chester County Coach Dewond Johnson. “Our young men played great. I told them we could do it. They believed they could do it, and we got it done.”
The Eagles will be on the road Friday night as they face Hardin County.
