Friday, April 26, 2024
Jonesboro had a wild night Friday that ended 15 minutes before midnight.
Because of miscommunication with officials, the team scrambled to get in its season opener against the Coolidge Yellow Jackets.
The two schools wound up moving the game to Oglesby as the nightcap game of a last-minute doubleheader.
“It was a miscommunication with the referees,’’ Eagles coach Eddie Gallegos said. “It’s on me, it’s never happened before, and this will be the last time. We’ve got a new assigner now.’’
The Eagles, the No. 6-ranked team in the six-man Division I state rankings, had a tough start, but bounced back to defeat Coolidge, 67-26.
“It affected us a little bit, but we came back and responded,’’ Gallegos said.
After falling behind 12-0, the Eagles regrouped thanks to a big interception from Jaden Domel. Two plays later quarterback Garrett Young delivered a play-action pass of 21 yards in the back of the end zone to Nat Hilliker to spark the Eagles.
The Eagles rushing attack was well balanced with six ball carriers, led by Tyler Wilson and Caleb Christel.
Wilson had seven carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Christel had eight carries for 110 yards and two scores.
Other rushers were: Jacob Cisneros four carries, 15 yards; Ian Shoaf six carries, 95 yards, two TDs; Manny Torres three carries, 21 yards; and Jaden Domel, two carries, eight yards, one TD.
Other offensive leaders were: Young was 2 for 2, 34 yards passing with one touchdown and Caleb Christel 2 for 4, 44 yards, one touchdown while Hilliker finished with three catches for 65 yards and two scores. DeMarcus Acoff had one catch for 13 yards.
Defensive leaders were: Nat Hilliker, five total tackles, one forced fumble; Christel, nine total tackles, one forced fumble; Domel, six total tackles, one interception; Manny Torres, six total tackles; Cisneros five tackles; Zach Chapman, eight tackles; Shoaf, four tackles, one pass breakup; Young, four tackles, one pass breakup, one interception, one forced fumble; Acoff, four total tackles
The Eagles will travel to Perrin-Whitt this Friday for their second game of the season.
