But Chisum and the Eagle offense got the ball back and proceeded to matriculate down the field in relative ease behind the offensive blocking of Alexander Mason and Jovan Garza paving the way for Chisum to get into the endzone, 82 yards on that drive, 14-7 United South after the Gonzalo Martinez PAT.
Another Ty Chisum score in the first quarter and a big stop on third down put the Eagles in business once again and capitalize they would as Chisum took it into the endzone for another score and the Eagles took a 21-14 lead.
A safety led by Luis Mendez gave the Eagles a nine point lead as the Eagle defense began to show signs of unity and team speed. Coach Tom Gonzalez informed The News Gram that several Eagle defenders had good games including Frank Hernandez who sacked the Panther quarterback on at least one key play.
Cabello would score yet again with 7:33 remaining in the first half, but the PAT was no good making the score, EP 23, South 20.
Just when you thought the halftime would end at 23-20, Hernandez struck yet again to Cabello on a picture perfect fly down the right sideline right over the outstretched hands of the eagle defender for the score right after another perfectly thrown post pattern which was called back for holding as both turnovers and numerous penalties affected the game late, 27-23 United South going into the locker rooms at halftime.
In the third quarter it was a big stop on Cabello by DeShawn Franklin on a third and about 8, a pass they were completing at will in the first half that was jarred loose by the big hit which began to turn things around for the Burnt Orange and White followed by a big penalty on a Chisum to Jose Reyes pass play got the Eagles into the Red Zone where Chisum would score his fourth TD from six yards out to make the score EP 30, United South 27.
The Panthers put together their best possession of the second half in their hurry up offense getting close on runs by Panther tandem of Miguel Lopez and Jesus Posada who both broke off quality runs garnering first downs. QB Richie Hernandez called his own number before bowling his way into the end zone for the last South score.
It was De Shawn Franklin who broke loose late in the game after yet another safety turned in by Roger Olivas' Eagle D to put the Eagles up by four. Franklin also had an interception to go along with Chisum ran their two-point option play to perfection getting the Eagles ahead 40-34 and both a lack of time outs and the game clock worked against South in the end.
The Eagles host LBJ next week in what was intentionally said to have been Homecoming for the Eagles on a Friday evening where more alumni could attend such as the Class of 1974, the first class to graduate from the actual building that houses the school now and a class loaded with talent, but the powers that be moved it up to October 9th. It sure was good to see my beloved Ol' Ball Coach Roly (You shoulda HAD that one) Moncada in the stands with his beautiful family enjoying Homecoming as he not only performed legendarily well on the field as a player for the Eagles, but he touched many many lives after that as a coach of the Mighty Eagle Baseball Program.