On a foggy and humid fall night, the Paris Eagles hosted the Mayflower Eagles in the first week of conference 3A-4 play. Paris dominated every phase of the game on the way to their fourth overall win and their first in conference play. Paris (4-0, 1-0) will be home again next week to host the Two Rivers Gators in the second week of the conference season.
The stifling Paris defense completely shut down the Mayflower offense from the start of the game all the way through the insertion of Paris reserve players who played most of the second half. The Paris linebackers and secondary flew to the ball just as they have all season, and Paris dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage with their significant size advantage.
Paris quarterback Chase Watts lead the way to victory for the conference leading Eagles by again being a dual threat at the quarterback position. Watts had both key passes and runs, resulting in touchdowns that help pace the Paris offense. The Paris Eagles, who started the season with inconsistent play, may have played their most complete game of the season so far in all phases of the game against Mayflower. The Mayflower Eagles are a team that has talent, but remains winless on the season. Mayflower (0-4, 0-1) by virtue of their loss, finds themselves in the bottom half of the conference standings and must now defeat teams that are ahead of them in the wins and loss columns to get back into the playoff race.
The results of other conference action tonight include:
Booneville 48
Two Rivers 6
Paris will host Two Rivers next week at Eagles Stadium.
Perryville 35
Danville 0
At press time, there was no score reported for the game between Atkins and Little Rock Baptist Prep
Resident Press will have more on Friday’s conference games results along with week two analysis of the 3A-4 conference as teams begin preparing for week two of the conference race.
Paris head football coach, Tyler Clark, was again afforded the opportunity to empty his bench and give his reserve players significant playing time. It is great for all the players to have a chance to play, but it also protects starters from possible unnecessary exposure to the risk of injury, as well as developing quality depth that could be very important in the final month of the season. Paris rolled to a 28-0 halftime lead, and gave up their only score to Mayflower long after the reserve players had taken the field. Once again, Paris found themselves in a mercy rule shortened game, and the contest ended a few minutes past 9 p.m.
And in a good problem for the Eagles, Paris scored so often in the first half that the frequent firing of the ceremonial cannon that is fired after every Paris score combined with the high humidity and cool air temperature to create a fog that hung over the Eagle Stadium field for most of the second half. As in a scene from a war movie that depicted the “fog of war”, the Eagles pushed their way to the top of the conference standings with Booneville and Perryville. Paris will now take a short time off to celebrate the win and will then quickly go back to work to prepare for the Two Rivers Gators and an opportunity to go 2-0 in conference play.
It was a tough night for the Mayflower Eagles. Nothing seemed to work against the significant size advantage that was enjoyed by Paris. And things are not going to get any easier for Mayflower. They must now prepare to face the Little Rock Baptist Prep Eagles, and then go back on the road to face the Booneville Bearcats. Such is life in conference play.
Resident Press will have more on the Eagles victory over Mayflower in Sunday afternoon’s edition. Game analysis, Coach Clark’s comments on the Eagles win, and a preview of the Two Rivers Gators will be featured on Sunday.
Photos from the Eagles game with Mayflower will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports by Saturday afternoon.
So, congratulations to the Paris Eagles and coach Tyler Clark on their undefeated start to the season and having taken their first step to returning to the state playoffs! And stay with Resident Press for the most complete coverage of Paris Eagles football!
