A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
The Eagle Pass Eagles faced-off with the Edinburgh North Cougars at the Alamodome in San Antonio and were down 14-7 in the second half when the EP Special Teams came up with a big play. RJ Ruiz took a direct snap from the Eagle deep snapper and took the pigskin 32 yards for the tying score. An incredible play by an athlete who has come through for the Eagles time and time again this season on both defense and offense.
This is how things went down at the Alamodome:
The Cougars took the opening kickoff and took the ball meticulously down the field with a steady run game before plunging into the endzone from one yard out by running back Adrian Alvarez for the first score of the game, 7-0 Cougars.
Ty Chisum and the Eagles also had an impressive opening drive to start out the game mixing their offensive attack which culminated in an interception in the endzone which was stopped by Carlos Villarreal and Chisum at the Eagle 45.
Edinburgh took advantage of the turnover to eat up yardage and clock with the run, but eventually scored on a 10 yard pass play from quarterback Josh Vela to wideout Adrian Davila with 7:55 left in the half.
The Eagle Defense came out roaring in the second half and got the Cougars to fumble on their own 38 yard line. The ensuing drive stalled and the Eagles were forced to punt pinning the Coogs back at their own 29 where the Eagles special teams came through once again forcing a Cougar fumble and recovering the loose ball putting the Eagles in business.
Edinburgh's defense did their job almost thwarting another Eagle drive as the Eagles could not muster any yardage, then on a fourth and five EP went for it and Ty Chisum once again hooked up with RJ Gomez for a spectacular 24 yard pitch and catch for the initial Eagle score with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter!
It was later in the quarter that the Eagles looked as though they may make another move on the Cougars with another potential scoring drive, but the drive stalled at the Edinburgh 32. This is where Coach Tom Gonzalez made a decision equivalent to Sean Payton's big move in the Super Bowl XLIV against Peyton Manning and the Colts as the Eagles chose to fake the punt and RJ Ruiz took it to the house for the tying score. The Alamodome went absolutely wild as the game was now tied 14-14.
Both defenses stepped it up for the rest of the game not allowing the other team's offense to get anywhere near a score.
It was late in the fourth quarter as the Eagles looked as though they were going to put it away, but the Cougars managed to pick off another Chisum pass at the EP 10 with a minute to play and on the very first play from scrimmage Vela connected with Adrian Morales on a 90 yard game winning TD pass to ice the 21-14 win for the Edinburgh North squad effectively ending the 2012 Eagle Pass Eagle football season.
The Eagle Pass News Gram salutes the Eagles, their players, staff and coaches on a magnificent season, but especially the 2012 Senior Class for all of their work and dedication, Godpeed and God bless as you continue your academic and athletic futures for both the Eagle and CC WInn Maverick senior football players.