It was the day that many Paris fans had been waiting for since December of 2020; the opening day of the highly-anticipated 2021 season. Paris made the short trip down Highway 22 to Lavaca to play the Arrows in the season opener for both schools. The game was never a contest as Paris scored quickly and often in the first half and on its first two drives of the second half. The final score was 49-12 and Paris picked up its first win of the season. The Eagles record on the young season is now 1-0, and Lavaca falls to 0-1 on the season.
It was a hot day in Lavaca, but both teams seemed to be well-adjusted to the heat. It appeared to be a fairly clean game with respect to penalties and turnovers. Neither team appeared to suffer significant injuries in the opening contest. Lavaca was missing players from COVID protocol, and hopefully those players will be able to return to play soon. On a positive note, bands were present at the game, and it was good to have them playing and supporting their schools. The Eagles band was playing at its first away game since the 2019 season due to statewide restrictions for bands to travel during the regular season last year. It was great to have them in the stadium on Friday night.
Paris was playing their first game for their new head coach, Jeff Weaver. As the Eagles coach, Weaver picked-up his first victory coaching Paris. His team appeared to be well-prepared, disciplined, and very confident as the game progressed. Paris dominated in all three phases of the game, and the entire coaching staff can be credited with a great job in preparing the Eagles for their first game of the season.
It did not take long for Paris to take control of the game with the Arrows. Senior quarterback Chase Watts scored on a quarterback keeper early in the first quarter. And then with 4:17 remaining in the first quarter, Watts passed to Cooper Haley for the second Eagles touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Eagles led 14-0.
In the second quarter, the Paris defense continued its domination of a Lavaca offense that appeared to be very limited due to missing players in the game. The Arrows were forced to play a very conservative game on offense, and the Paris took advantage by dominating the line of scrimmage and forcing Lavaca into negative total yardage in the first half. In particular, Paris was fast off of the defensive edges, creating havoc in the Lavaca backfield. The Arrows could not match the speed and physicality of the Eagles defense.
Junior running back Mason Bradley took a handoff and ran around the right side and into the end zone for the Eagles third score of the first half, extending the Paris lead to 21-0 with 8:16 remaining in the first half. And then, the defense forced a Lavaca fumble on about the 40 yard line, and Paris took over with 7:07 remaining in the half. Watts struck again with a touchdown pass to Bo Bain with 5:07 and the route was on. Paris’s lead became 26-0 with under five minutes remaining in the first half.
After stopping the Arrows on their next possession and forcing a punt, the Eagles committed one of their few mistakes of the night when the return team muffed a punt deep inside Paris territory and gave possession back to the Arrows. With 58 seconds remaining in the first half, the Arrows’ Fisher Giles caught a touchdown pass to put Lavaca on the scoreboard. The extra point attempt was no good, and the score became 28-6 Paris.
Paris moved the ball quickly down the field just before the end of the first half, but the Arrows came up with a big interception of a Chase Watts pass deep in the red zone of Lavaca with just 15 seconds remaining in the first half. The two teams went to the locker room with the Eagles leading at the half, 28-6.
The Eagles received the kickoff to start the second half, and it was apparent early that the Eagles offense wanted to go fast and score quickly to put the game away and force a continuous game clock under the “mercy rule.” And score quickly they did as Duke Walker took a hand-off and raced approximately 40 yards for a Paris touchdown. After a successful extra point attempt, the Eagles lead became 35-6 with 10:37 remaining in the third quarter.
When the Eagles returned to offense, it was senior running back Nate Henderson running free for another Eagles touchdown with just 4:14 remaining in the third quarter. Both Henderson and Bradly have been huge additions to the Eagles backfield, complimenting Duke Walker and giving the Paris offense a big run threat with the dual-threat capability of quarterback Chase Watt. The dangerous Paris backfield had extended the lead to 42-6, and it would be time for the reserve players to finish the game for Paris.
Lavaca had some success against the Paris reserves. Both teams traded scores, and when the game came to an end, it was the Paris Eagles starting their new tradition of singing the school’s fight song after an opening night 49-12 victory at Lavaca.
After the game, a happy first year Paris coach, Jeff Weaver, said, “Lots of great stuff. Effort was excellent. Lots of stuff to work on as well. Very proud that we played hard and for the most part stayed focused all the way through the game. Offense did a good job spreading the ball around. The defense dominated up front which set the tone.”
The Eagles will continue their road portion of the non-conference schedule next Friday when they travel to Johnson County Westside. Resident Press will bring you coverage of the game at Westside in next Saturday’s online edition. Photos from the Lavaca game are now available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports.
Congratulations to the Eagles and the entire coaching staff on a great opening week win! Enjoy your weekend, and stay with Resident Press for Paris Eagles football coverage, all season long!
See you next week at Johnson County Westside!
