The long 2022 season for the Eagles came to an end on Friday night with a loss to Magnet Cove at Eagles Stadium. Paris’s week ten game was cancelled earlier in the season when Danville cancelled the remainder of their season.
Although the record was certainly not what the team had hoped it would be, the Paris football players played all season with grit and determination, often battling nagging injuries all season. Moans and groans could be heard from the game field throughout the season, and players would go home each week beat up and bruised from the night before. But the Eagles battled all season, and their character was never doubted.
Symbolically, the Eagles battled Magnet Cove down to the final down of the season. Down 47-7, the Eagles sustained a drive with no time outs remaining and moved the ball inside the Panthers’ two yard line. Paris called time out with three seconds remaining in the game, called a play, and scored a touchdown on the final play of the season. Some fans might wonder why the Paris coaches called time out when the game and season was over, but most importantly, the Paris coaching staff sent a signal to everyone that you never quit. You never, ever, quit… and that will be the starting point for this winter’s off-season program looking forward to the 2023 season.
The Paris seniors who were honored tonight won a total of 24 games in three seasons and made two consecutive years of playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021. In the 2020 campaign, the Eagles advanced to the state quarterfinals.
With the win, Magnet Cove secured the five seed from conference 3A-4 and will play in the Class 3A state playoffs on November 11.
One last reflection from tonight. Once again, the Paris crowd was great. Just as they have been all season under very tough circumstances, Paris fans showed up in large numbers to support their Eagles. Everyone who attended games this year should be very proud of the support you gave your Eagles. On behalf of everyone connected to the program, thank you for your awesome support this year of Paris Eagles football.
Photos of tonight’s game will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports on Monday afternoon. And if you missed any of the photos from the Eagles’ games this season, you can go to the page to catch-up on all of the games and the photos from this year’s Eagles football season.
RNN Sports will be in Lavaca next Friday to bring you photos and coverage of the Charleston Tigers as they play the Golden Arrows. The Tigers will be looking to clinch the outright conference championship in 3A-1.
