Eagles fall to Alba-Golden on road, 35-21

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  Quincy Goodwin (2) powers his way down the field during the Eagles' game against Alba-Golden Friday. Goodwin rushed for 76 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Eagles' 35-21 loss, adding a third touchdown on a 65-yard kickoff return. Staff Photo by DJ Spencer

  Quincy Goodwin (2) powers his way down the field during the Eagles' game against Alba-Golden Friday. Goodwin rushed for 76 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Eagles' 35-21 loss, adding a third touchdown on a 65-yard kickoff return. Staff Photo by DJ Spencer

Rodriguez rushes for 131 yards

ALBA, Texas — The Como-Pickton Eagles came up short in their district opener Friday, suffering a 35-21 loss to the Alba-Golden Panthers at Panther Stadium. Despite playing well at points, the Eagles couldn’t quite come out on top, as the Panthers sent them home empty- handed.

The Eagles won the coin toss and elected to receive, starting the game on offense.

Their first offensive drive started with a six-yard run by Julian Rodriguez. After a short run by Quincy Goodwin, a three-yard run by Payton Hunt gave the Eagles a fresh set of downs.

Then, Deigo Martinez broke off a 33-yard run, giving the Eagles excellent field position. Following two short runs and a false start, a 15-yard run by Goodwin improved the Eagles’ field position again. This was followed by a fiveyard run by Rodriguez.

The Eagles drive stalled from there. Their drive ended when Edwin Castillo missed a 38-yard field goal attempt, leaving the game scoreless at 0-0.

The Panthers’ opening drive started with a 14yard run. From there, the Eagles’ defense forced two incompletions and a short run, forcing Alba-Golden to punt. Disaster almost struck when Goodwin muffed the punt, but the Eagles recovered, maintaining possession of the ball.

The Eagles’ second drive started with a five-yard run by Rodriguez. On the same play, the Panthers were flagged for a facemask penalty, adding on 15 yards.

After an illegal block in the back and two short runs, the Eagles turned the ball over when Goodwin threw an interception, giving the ball back to the Panthers.

The Panthers’ following drive started with a one-yard run, which was followed by a 34-yard run. After another first down on a 10-yard run, a holding penalty and a sack moved the Panthers further back.

After the sack, the first quarter came to a close, with the scoreless tie still intact.

The second quarter began with an incompletion. On the following play, the Panthers scored the first touchdown of the game on a 50-yard run. A successful extra point gave them a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles’ ensuing drive started with short runs by Rodriguez and Maddix Garvin. After a negative run and a fiveyard run by Goodwin, Rodriguez broke off a 50-yard run.

Two plays later, the Eagles got on the board when Goodwin scored on a 10yard touchdown run. Castillo added the extra point, tying the score at 7-7.

The Eagles attempted an onside kick, which was recovered by the Panthers.

Alba-Golden’s next drive started with two good runs. After a penalty for an ineligible man downfield, a 32-yard run gave the Panthers better field position.

Two plays later, the Panthers scored again on a 12-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead.

The Eagles got one final drive before halftime. A steady run game, featuring Hunt and Rodriguez got the Eagles close to the end zone. In the end, however, the Eagles couldn’t punch the ball in, as Goodwin was tackled short of the end zone on the final play of the second quarter, allowing the Panthers to maintain their 14-7 lead going into halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Panthers received the ball to start the second half. Following an incompletion, a 31-yard run gave the Panthers excellent field position. Four plays later, the Panthers scored again on a three-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point extended their lead to 21-7.

The Eagles’ first second half drive began with a short run by Rodriguez. After a false start, Rodriguez broke off a 29-yard run. Soon after, good runs by Hunt and Martinez helped the Eagles improve their field position.

Eventually, the Eagles capped off a 10-play drive with a 13-yard touchdown run by Goodwin. Castillo added the extra point, trimming the score to 21-14.

The Panthers’ next drive didn’t feature as much action as they would’ve liked. Soon after, the Eagles caught a break when Goodwin intercepted a pass, giving the ball back to Como-Pickton.

The Eagles’ ensuing drive didn’t feature much action, either. They faced a fourth down as the third quarter ended, with Alba- Golden leading 21-14.

As the fourth quarter started, the Eagles caught a break when the Panthers were flagged for roughing the kicker on the punt, giving Como-Pickton a first down. Two plays later, however, Martinez threw a costly interception, giving the ball back to the Panthers.

Alba-Golden only needed two more plays to find the end zone again, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point extended their lead to 28-14.

The Eagles failed to move the ball on their next drive, ultimately turning the ball over on downs. On the next play, the Panthers scored again on a 24yard touchdown reception. A successful extra point raised their lead to 35-14.

The Eagles would score again when Goodwin returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown. Castillo then added the extra point, reducing the deficit to 35-21.

The Panthers would then embark on a long drive. Despite getting close to the end zone, the Panthers eventually fumbled, and Jacob Connellan recovered, giving possession back to the Eagles.

The Eagles’ following drive featured a 25-yard run by Goodwin. In the end, the Eagles couldn’t find the end zone, turning the ball over on downs with only seconds remaining.

The Panthers would then kneel the ball to run out the rest of the clock, handing the Eagles a 35-21 loss.

Rodriguez was the Eagles’ leading rusher, gaining 131 yards on 22 carries. Goodwin rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries, scoring two touchdowns. He also competed one pass for five yards to Martinez, and scored on a 65-yard touchdown on kickoff return.

Hunt gained 31 yards on 10 carries. Martinez rushed for 29 yards on six carries, and completed one pass for Goodwin for four yards. Maddix Garvin 11 rushing yards on two carries, and Jacob Connellan rushed for five yards on one carry.

With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 0-1 in district and 1-4 overall. They will look to get back on track Friday, when they welcome the Honey Grove Warriors to Ron Heflin Field.