RETURN OF FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Varsity football pulls out a win against Odessa in tight game

By: Tara Blue
The football season opener against Odessa had the crowd at the edge of their seats. The varsity faced off against the Bulldogs at home last Friday, Aug. 30th and barely pulled out a win after scoring with 8 seconds left in the game.

QB Mason Shearer

The Eagles came out strong, with QB Mason Shearer running a first down on the first play of the game, followed by RB Travers Hunolt carrying for another first down.

Senior Travers Hunolt runs the ball for a first down

The Eagles offense then struggled and failed to score early, but defense remained strong and held Odessa to only 3 points at the end of the first quarter.

Jace Wren brings down an Odessa runner short of a first down

Odessa began the 2nd quarter with force, scoring a touchdown early, bringing the score to 0-10. Eagles defense finally got Southern Boone on the board by pushing the Bulldogs back into their own end zone, earning two points on a safety.

#42 Hunter Ullrich celebrates after pushing Odessa back into their end zone, scoring 2 pts on a safety

Eagles offense then picked up the pace as Shearer scored a touchdown with less than a minute left in first half and Hudson Talley scored a touchdown with 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter followed by a successful 2 pt. conversion.

#13 Braidan Jackson runs for a first down

Defense again pushed the Bulldogs back into their own end zone, scoring another 2 pts. on a safety and bringing the score to 18-10.

Drum Major Adelyn Golightly readies the Marching Band for their performance of “Aurora”

Amyah Hill of the Color Guard performs at halftime

#12 Logan Bishop carried the Eagles further ahead with another touchdown and putting the team at an advantage heading into the final quarter at 25-10.

Eagles offense pushes #12 Logan Bishop through the end zone for the touchdown

However, Odessa was not going down without a fight.

The Bulldogs dominated the 4th quarter, scoring two touchdowns, a 2pt. conversion, and the extra point, shutting down Eagles offense and tying it up at 25-25.

Eagles defense stepped up to win the game when they intercepted the Bulldogs with 30 seconds on the clock. Shearer ran in the final touchdown and the Eagles barely pulled out a win with a final score of 32-25.