The Paris Eagles capped a tremendous regular season on Friday at Danville with a 49-22 win over the Little Johns. Paris (9-1, 5-1) finished the 2020 regular season as conference runner-ups and will go into the state playoffs as a number two seed. Friday’s win at Danville was a “business-like” performance on the road following an emotional loss at home the week before to Booneville for the conference title. Paris will have a week off as it awaits the results of next week’s play-in games of non-qualifying teams who have been given an opportunity to play due to COVID-related cancellations within their conferences across the state.
The Eagles were too much for a Danville team that has been decimated by injuries and off-the-field issues that have greatly affected the Little Johns all season. Danville is a program of great pride and tradition, but this year, it has been a season to forget for the Little Johns. Paris led at the half by a score of 49-6, and once again forced their opponents into a mercy rule, shortened second half. Eagles coach Tyler Clark emptied his bench to start the second half and was able to rest and protect his starters for the playoffs.
The Eagles Duke Walker, who had two fumble recoveries and returns for touchdowns last week versus Booneville, added a first half interception and a return for a touchdown to his long list of spectacular plays this year for Paris. Walker has been “Superman” for Paris and has fit in extremely well with a very talented and experienced roster of Eagles that could make a serious run in the playoffs. With the week off next week, the Eagles have the opportunity to heal some of their bumps and bruises and correct issues that the team may have before their first game of the playoffs.
After the game, Paris coach Tyler Clark expressed his love and respect for this year’s team that had just completed a 9-1 season. Coach Clark said immediately after the game, “Super proud of the kids, as always; I feel like I say that every week, but it’s the truth. They just play so hard, man, and it doesn’t matter who we are playing. We have preached all year, a nameless and faceless opponent. They’re just going to show up and do what we do and I am super proud of them.”
So many Eagles have contributed to the team’s success this year. Many outstanding seniors and juniors have led the way for the conference runner-ups. Coach Clark was able to get them out of the game by halftime on Friday night, and all of them should be healthy and ready to go for their first playoff game in two weeks. Coach Clark commented, “And that has been big for us all year (getting starters out of the game and reducing risk to injury). Honestly, it was big for us tonight to get back to what we usually are (playing with big leads and resting starters). You also gain confidence going into the playoffs.”
Perhaps most impressive of the Eagles win on Friday was the focus of the team after the emotional loss last week to Booneville. The team came out loose and focused and took the game to Danville early, squelching any thoughts the Little Johns may have had that Paris would play in a “fog” and give Danville a chance to pull an upset. Coach Clark said, “Credit to them (the Paris players) that they really understood the fact that we take things one week at a time, and that something that happened last week is just that, it was last week. It doesn’t matter anymore. So, I thought they did a good job of focusing all week.”
The Booneville Bearcats, who wrapped up the conference title last week against Paris, finished their conference season Friday undefeated with a 41-16 win over Perryville. In other conference action on Friday:
Atkins 28, Mayflower 14
LR Baptist Prep 27, Two Rivers 0
The final standings in conference 3A-4 are:
Booneville 5-0
Paris 5-1
Atkins 5-2
Perryville 4-3
Mayflower 2-4
Danville 1-3
Baptist Prep 1-4
Two Rivers 0-5
Resident Press will have more on the final brackets for the Class 3A state football playoffs on Sunday. Superintendents have until 8 a.m. Saturday morning to declare their intentions to opt-in or out of the playoffs. As soon as a bracket is known, Resident Press will publish it for our readers. RP wlll have a playoff preview of the Eagles first round opponent on Monday, November 16. As a two seed, Paris will host a playoff game at Eagles Stadium on November 20.
Congratulations to the Paris Eagles for a 9-1 season and finishing as this year’s conference runner-up! Paris fans have so much to be proud of this team, and although several Paris seniors have now played their final regular season game, this year’s class of Eagles has a lot of football left to play in the state playoffs. Congratulations to coach Tyler Clark and the entire staff. It has truly been a special year, but…it is not over!
Stay with Resident Press for the most complete coverage of Paris Eagles football and the Class 3A state playoffs! Additional photos from this game will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports on Saturday afternoon.
