PARIS- In a game of “what ifs” and “could ofs” the Paris Eagles lost a close game on Senior Night to the league undefeated Centerpoint Knights, 28-21. Paris had a first quarter touchdown called back on a penalty and gave up a touchdown on defense with three seconds remaining in the first half that ultimately proved to be the difference in the seven-point loss to the Knights.
Paris suffered their fourth conference loss of the season, but the Eagles are still mathematically alive for the final state playoff spot from conference 3A-4. Among the results from around the conference on Friday, the Jessieville Lions defeated Magnet Cove by the score of 30-28, giving the Panthers their third conference loss. Paris travels to Magnet Cove next week for the opportunity to defeat Magnet Cove, giving them their fourth conference loss, and pulling the Eagles into a tie with the Panthers for the final playoff spot. Paris will return home on November 3 to host Danville, and if the Eagles defeat the Little Johns, Paris would end the season potentially in a tie with Magnet Cove. Paris would have the tiebreaker advantage over the Panthers due to their head-to-head win. On an additional note, Magnet Cove travels to Glen Rose on November 3, so it is possible that Paris could finish all alone in fifth place with a Panther loss to Glen Rose.
Senior starting quarterback Maddox Watts returned on Friday to play in rotation with backup quarterback Jestin Churchman in Friday’s game with Centerpoint. The Eagles played hard and seemed to be just a play away for most of the second half from upsetting Centerpoint. The game was in stark contrast to the teams’ first meeting a year ago in Amity that saw Centerpoint cruise to a 42-7 win.
RNN Sports will be in Malvern on Friday to bring you coverage of the Eagles game at Magnet Cove. Watch for our post-game story on Sunday on our website at residentnewsnetwork.com
Photos from Friday’s game with Centerpoint will be available on Tuesday on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports.
Congratulations to the Eagles for a great effort on Friday, and we expect to see another all-out effort at Magnet Cove to help send the Eagles to the state playoffs!
