It felt good…really good.
The Paris Eagles who have struggled all season against opponents who have been deeper and more experienced, tasted victory for the first time on Friday night at Eagles Stadium. Paris defeated the Two Rivers Gators, 34-21, in a 3A-4 conference game. The win improved the Eagles’ record to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Paris will travel to Centerpoint next week for another conference game. The Knights played at Jessieville tonight and defeated the Lions 40-8. Centerpoint is undefeated in conference play at 4-0 and are 7-0 overall.
The Paris homecoming win capped off a perfect day of homecoming activities for the students, fans, and the Paris community. The day began with a homecoming pep rally at Paris Gymnasium where members of the homecoming court were escorted by football players as they were introduced to the students and guests at the ceremony. The Paris homecoming tradition withholds the name of the queen until the on-field pregame ceremony, so, her name was unknown at the time of the program.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the annual homecoming parade was held. The parade route traditionally starts at Wood Street Park across from Paris High School and proceeds past the middle school campus and then turns toward the elementary school.
There students lined the streets to watch the floats, the Paris High School Band, football players, and the homecoming court. The court was driven in sports cars that were donated for their use in the parade.
Following the conclusion of the afternoon photo of the homecoming court, the on-field coronation ceremony was held at approximately 6:30 p.m. The homecoming maids were escorted by their fathers onto the field where the band and cheerleaders presented the maids to the large home crowd at Eagles Stadium. Senior maid Rachel O’Neal, daughter of Michelle and Jeffrey O’Neal, was named as the 2022 Paris football homecoming queen. Rachel is an outstanding student and has participated in several extracurricular activities at PHS, including playing the sports of volleyball, basketball, and softball.
At 7 p.m. the game with Two Rivers kicked off with the Gators winning the toss and electing to defer their choice to the second half. Paris received the opening kickoff and methodically marched down the field behind a dominant rushing attack led by seniors Andrew Wells and reserve quarterback Mason Bradley. Bradley was again filling in for starter Maddox Watts who had to sit out of the game for the first three quarters.
The Gators have not had a lot of success over the past seven years. Prior to this year where they began the year with two non-conference victories, the Two Rivers football program had won just 3 games in the past seven years. But this year’s version of the Gator football program has shown significant improvement. Observers who have seen the Gators play over the past couple of years noticed on Friday night that their team is much more disciplined and is tougher mentally. They compete hard and have a very talented quarterback. In this writer’s opinion, the Gator coaching staff is doing a great job and has their players believing they can compete. I look for them to continue to improve for the balance of this year and into next season.
But you cannot say enough positive things about how the Paris Eagles, their players and coaches, have continued to work and play hard. Several young players have received significant playing time this year out of necessity, and even though it has been tough and will be tough again next week at Centerpoint, the Eagles are developing players for the future. In fact, there is no better teacher than experience, and the young Eagles will benefit next year and into the future from the development they are gaining this year.
It is always good to win on homecoming night. It was especially satisfying for everyone connected to the Paris football program tonight. Now, Paris will go back on the road next week and will return in two weeks to host Magnet Cove in what will now be the final regular season game of the year due to the cancellation of the season for the Danville Little Johns. Paris was scheduled to play Danville in week ten. The Magnet Cove game will be Senior Night and will also represent another opportunity to compete and possibly pick up another win on the season.
And finally, I would like to again congratulate the Paris crowd who once again showed up in big numbers tonight. In the pregame radio show, it was mentioned that in a lot of programs, an unsuccessful season will often lead to poor attendance by this point in the season. But the Paris fans have been faithful to their Eagles, and the entire community can be very proud of how they have supported the young Paris Eagles. Congratulations again on another great turnout, and I expect to see another large home crowd in two weeks to honor a very special group of seniors.
Congratulations to coach Jeff Weaver and his staff for working hard and keeping this team together through all of the adversity that has come their way this season. And most of all, congratulations to the players who have battled hard all season. Enjoy your victory this weekend! It is well-deserved!
Watch for more photos from this game next week on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. And thanks to all of you for your readership and loyalty. And RNN Sports will see you next Friday in Amity as the Eagles take on the Centerpoint Knights!
