The Eagles quarterback #10 Richard Luna and his offensive crew took the opening drive down the field mixing both run and pass to mount a 13 play scoring drive that ending with a 27-yard touchdown post slant from Luna to slot receiver #11 Norby Zavala. The Eagles' #9 Jose Riojas who did not play on offense as a receiver took care of the kicking duties. Riojas tacked on the extra point and made it 7-0 Eagles.
Offensively the Eagles were clicking on all cylinders as they extended their lead 13-0, when Luna connected with #2 Wide Receiver Albert Guevara on a screen pass weaving his way through panthers would-be tacklers to pay dirt for a 49-yard catch and run. Riojas hit his second point after through the upright with a 1:19 left in the first quarter 14-0.
Defensively, Eagles managed to stop the Panthers run attack #25 David Kypuros and his fellow "Land Sharks" were all over the field. Medina Valley finally began to find holes in the Eagles' defense and they find the endzone from 6-yards out by Tailback #80 Caytan Chang. #24 Ethan Hassinger adds the point after to make it 14-7.
"We missed some tackles on defense. Our offense was moving the ball as both defenses could not stop each other," said Head Coach Tom Gonzalez.
The Eagles moved the ball at will down to the Panthers 3-yard line after a Medina Valley personal foul penalty. The Eagles had 1st & goal with less than a minute to play before the half but Medina Valley's defense stopped the Eagles' attack pushing them back to the 12-yard line.
"We decided to go for the 22-yard field goal and make sure we took a 10 point lead into the locker room, instead of going for it on fourth down and the panthers getting momentum for the second half," said Gonzalez.
Medina Valley was down but not out. Return man #22 Logan Masters sparking the Panthers' home crowd taking it at his own 25 yard line and proceed to go through the Eagles' kickoff team for a 75-yard kickoff return. Hassinger missed the point after as the Eagles held on to a 4 point lead 17-13.
With momentum shifting the Eagles offense just took 6 plays to march down the field and answer, when Luna hit #15 Wide Receiver Ralph Guerrero on a 6-yard inside slant with 10:25 left in the third quarter. Riojas tacked on the point after as the Eagles extended their lead 24-13.
Medina Valley took the ensuing drive down the field as the Eagles' defense could not stop the tandem senior running backs of Chang and #21 Devin Johnson. The Panthers had a 15 play drive that ended with Johnson capping it off from 9 yards out with 4:16 left in the third quarter. Medina Valley converted on their 2 point play and made it the score 21-24.
Both defenses clamped down as the game went into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Eagle Pass drove the ball down the field but stalled as they settled for 34 yard field goal from the right-foot of placekicker Riojas to extend the lead to 6 points 27-21 with 6:30 left on the clock.
Medina Valley mounted a comeback as they countered with a drive of their own, scoring from 5 yards out as Johnson plunged into the endzone and tied the ballgame 27-27 with 1:49 left. Hassinger split the uprights as the Panthers took a one point lead 28-27.
Eagles' offense still had time on the clock, as they moved the ball into Panther territory to take a potential game winning 45-yard field goal but fell well short. The Eagles lost their season opener to Medina Valley 28-27.
