It was a long trip to the South Arkansas town of Amity for the Paris football program to play the Centerpoint Knights in a 3A-4 conference game. Symbolically, the long trip there and back is not unlike the 2022 season for the Eagles. It has been a long season that will culminate next week at home with a final conference game against Magnet Cove.
Paris once again played hard and competed with the Knights who entered the game undefeated both overall and in conference play. In fact, the Eagles were within striking distance until very late in the second quarter. Paris had narrowed the lead to 14-7 before giving up a touchdown about midway through the second quarter, and then again just before the half to stretch the Centerpoint lead to 28-7 at the half.
Early in the first half, senior running back Jace Clark of Centerpoint eclipsed the single season rushing record for the Knight’s football program. Clark’s running highlighted the Centerpoint offense that appeared to be very conservative in handing the ball off to Clark who could not be stopped by the Paris defense. Occasionally, the Knights would throw the ball down field to receivers who were left open by a defense desperate to stop the run.
Centerpoint would score twice more in the second half, sending the game clock into sportsmanship rule mode (continuous clock) for the remainder of the game. Paris was unable to score again, and the Knights cruised to a 42-7 win at home over Paris.
With the win over Paris, Centerpoint remains undefeated in conference play and will end their regular season with two huge games against Bismarck and Glen Rose. The final top three seedings from conference 3A-4 will be greatly impacted by the Knights’ games with the other two conference leaders.
Due to the cancellation of the Danville game in Week Ten of the Paris schedule, the Eagles’ regular season will conclude next week, October 28, at home versus Magnet Cove. It will be Senior Night and both Paris and Magnet Cove will be playing for the fifth and final state playoff berth from the 3A-4. For Paris, it will be win or go home for the 2022 season when they host the Panthers.
Watch for photos from the Centerpoint game next week on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. RNN Sports will be in Searcy next week to cover the Lady Eagles in the state volleyball tournament, and will return home on Friday to bring you coverage of the Eagles’ final regular season football game.
So, Eagles fans, enjoy your weekend, and get ready for a big week of Paris sports next week! RNN Sports will be there to bring you all of the action!
