Football Ends Season as Bi-District Champs

All District Football players from left to right: seniors Angel Limones, DeQuann McWilliams, Tyler Haynes, Zane Anderson, Brazos Monico, junior Luke Latham, senior Kody Beene, and junior Dane Alman. Not pictured: Jar’Mychal Hudson, Justin Abrams, Klay Bonner, Drew Williams, Chandler Nobel, Dylan Rushin, and Eli Martin. Photo by Erin Rachel.

Margie Savage, Photo Editor
December 17, 2019

Sweat and tears rolled down their faces as they walked off the field. All of the practices, the film viewings, and the workouts led to this one night. Players hang their heads in sadness because this should not have ended, not yet.

The Eagles ended their football season with a record of 7-5 after a loss to Gilmer in the second round of the playoffs. Thirteen players from this season made the All District Team for the 2019 season.

“I would say that the entire team has gotten better,” said head coach John Bachtel. “ They work hard everyday and try to get better each week.”

The District Defensive MVP is Jar’Mychal Hudson, and first team offense is Justin Abrams, Klay Bonner, Drew Williams, and Chandler Nobel. First team defense is Tyler Haynes, Zane Anderson, Angel Limones, and Trent Hauser. Second team offense is Dane Allman, DeQuann McWilliams, Brazos Monico, and Tyler Hanes. Second team defense is Luke Latham, Kody Beene, Dylan Rushin, and Eli Martin.

“Our team this year has been really great at playing as a team and playing for one another. Really proud of how our team fights to the very end,” coach Stoney Patton said, “At no point this year have our kids given up.”

The first district game was against Lorena at home. This game ended in a win, with a score of 41-21. The second district game was played at the Madisonville stadium. The Eagle football team won that game with a score of 31-15. 

Eagles run a play against Gilmer Buckeyes as senior and quarterback Justin Abram catches the ball. Photo by Trista Thornbrough.

“Even though we may lose games,” senior Drew Williams said, “we still pushed to be better and worked harder for playoffs.”

Eagle defense line stops Gilmer Buckeyes’ running play. Photo by Trista Thornbrough.

The next district game that we have played was against Mexia, that ended in a loss for the Eagles with a score of 10-37. After the bi week the Eagles played Conally and loss with a score of 35-40.

“I am really proud of the way the boys have come together as a team, “ head coach Bachtel said. “They really like each other, and are playing hard for each other.  They have become a family.”

After the loss against Connally, the Eagles played a game against Robinson and won with a score of 26-20. The Eagles scored their last touchdown in overtime.The Eagles’ last district game was against Salado, the Eagles fought hard but lost with a score of 21-42. 

“This was a really hard game,” senior Lex Thompson said. “We gave it all we got out there on the field, and we are proud of that.”

Eagles played their first round of playoffs against Wills Point. Eagles won with a score of 37-21. For the second round of playoffs, Eagles played against Gilmer and lost with a score of 35-56.

“We geared up for this round the same as we’ve done since the beginning of August,” coach Patton said. “For me personally, I try to keep the same routine for practices, games, etc. For the kids and our program, we try to keep everything in a normal routine because we’re used to it, but also we want to treat the opponent and everything the same.”