COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

WEEK THREE – BARNHART STADIUM

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Eagles (0-2) travel to Kinkaid (0-2) September 13 for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff aiming for the first St. Thomas victory of the season.

SETTING THE SCENE
The private school programs meet for the fifth time in six years. Eagle Football posted three consecutive season-opening victories over the Falcons by a combined margin of 109-51 before the series was interrupted in 2017 by the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The 2018 shootout at Hotze Field inside Granger Stadium included an onslaught of 489 total yards and eight touchdowns from quarterback Peyton Matocha ‘19 (University of Miami).

PREVIOUS INSTALLMENT
Quarterback Maddox Kopp ‘21 shredded Needville for 343 yards and three touchdowns in his second varsity start while receivers Josh Crissmon ’20 and Cameron Bonner ‘21 provided a cluster of game changing moments but Eagle Football surrendered the deciding points in the final 90 seconds in a 35-34 defeat at Hotze Field inside Granger Stadium.

Crissmon’s career best night included 11 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown.

 

Bonner bolted 90 yards in a first quarter slice and dice, spin and spurt kickoff return score. He ended with four clutch catches for 76 yards.

 

The Eagles erased a 21-7 first half deficit and took their only lead of the game when Kopp found Spencer Kryger ’20 on the first snap following a Daniel Coco ‘20 interception that he returned to the Needville nine yard line. Kryger slanted left to right for the grab that put St. Thomas in front 34-27 with less than six minutes remaining on the clock.

 

The Eagles rallied for 10 points in the final 5:06 of the first half when Kopp rolled against his body and delivered a strike to Kryker for the first of their two touchdown connections. Kicker Paul Langemeier ‘20 then split the uprights from 22 yards to complete a pair of short range field goals and shrink the margin to 21-20 at the break.

In the third period St. Thomas turned a Cameron McCurry ‘21 take away into the tying touchdown when Kopp tag-teamed with Crissmon breaking to the right corner of the end zone for a 27-27 deadlock. But the Eagles couldn’t answer Needville’s counterpunch touchdown and follow up two-point conversion despite a final series that began at midfield.

WEEK TWO || FIRST HALF

WEEK TWO || SECOND HALF

[GALLERY]

STATE OF PLAY
A winless start two weeks into a new season brings disappointment but not discouragement. And the Eagles remain undetered to their yearly mission statement – build the concept of team, work side-by-side constructing a bond of togetherness, formulate collective priorities and goals. Success at this level demands struggle. Purpose is the major building block for the development of an outstanding team. It’s not about rights and privileges. It’s about obligations and responsibility demanding a simple answer … can you be counted on? Time to go out and get it.

 

No time to cry
When you’re bruised and battered
Sweat and bleed for the things that matter
Oh yeah
You can hide in a dirty mirror
But the truth will be no clearer
Dust it off and take a good look at yourself

Stop asking who’s gonna light the fire
Stop asking who’s gonna take you higher

Get out and get it
Get out and get it
Get out and get it (Ooooh)
Get out and get it (It ain’t comin’ to you)
Get out and get it
Get out and get it (Oh yeah)
Get out and get it (Stop asking who)
Get out and get it (Stop asking who)

UPCOMING
The Eagles celebrate homecoming weekend with the first leg of its only two game homestand of the season and aim to duplicate their 2018 success over Stafford. Matocha took part in all four Eagle touchdowns including a stunning 98-yard connection with receiver Hunter Cheek ‘19 (University of Incarnate Word). And a revitalized defense delivered drive-killing sacks, game-changing turnovers and two essential fourth-quarter stops in a 28-21 road win.

Eagle Fight Never Dies!