The Jonesboro Eagles, undefeated at 11-0, were flying high Friday night, soaring into their Regional matchup with the Richland Springs Coyotes in Comanche. The enthusiasm level, was elevated even more, when Denim Reeves was sacked on the first play from scrimmage, a rare loss of yardage for the Coyote spreadback. A few plays later, the Eagles’, glorious visions, were slammed to earth, as Chance Bush connects on 4th and 15 with Denim Reeves for 26 yards and a touchdown. Frankie Soto’s PAT is good, Coyotes 8-0. The Eagles had no answer for the swarming Coyotes defense.

The Eagles went three and out on their first series, as Ben VanCleave and Stephen Fowler stuffed the big Jonesboro running backs, for no gain. After the punt, Coyote’s ball on their own 14. John Greenwood slashes for 5 yds. Reeves, avoiding a two man blitz on 2nd and 10, barely gets the ball away to Stephen Fowler for 10 yds and a first down on the Coyote 29 yard line. Denim Reeves then gets loose for 24 yards, and has to be gang tackled at the Eagles 27. First down...Stephen Fowler erases two Eagles with one block, and springs Reeves virtually untouched, for the touchdown. Soto’s kick is good. Coyotes 16-0. The Eagles go nowhere on the ensuing drive. The Eagles, feeling the game slip away from them, go for it on 4th down,

The Eagles QB’s pass, under heavy pressure, by Chance Bush, is wisely swatted away by Brian Torres. Coyote’s ball on Eagle 38. Denim Reeves, back to pass, avoids a sack, splits two Eagle defenders, spins off another, and scores!!! PAT no good. Coyote’s 22-0. The Eagles, again go three and punt. On first down from their own 25, Reeves throws incomplete to Stephen Thornhill and then is sacked back to his own 10 yard line. And then the backbreaker... Denim Reeves slams right up the middle for 70 yards and a touchdown. PAT wide left.. 28-0.

The next Eagle drive is also stymied, keyed by an Elbert Thomas sack. Eagle’s punt. Reeves fumbles, but it is recovered by Brian Torres, on the Coyote 31 yard line. 1st down....Reeves for eight yards to the 39, and then John Greenwood shows off his speed, as he races around the right side, navigates along the sideline for 41 yards and six points. Frankie Soto’s PAT is good. Coyotes 36-0, with still 5:22 remaining in the half. John Greenwood corrals an Eagle fumble on the next series at the Eagles 26 yard line. On the first play, a Reeves to Thomas Fowler strike for paydirt. Soto again is good. Coyotes 44-0, 4:30 left in the half. After a Coyote gang-sack, the Eagles punt was blocked by a soaring Tommy Hollon, and picked up by John Greenwood, who runs it in for another touchdown. Frankie Soto’s PAT is good, 52-0, 2:33 left in the 2nd quarter. The Eagles again fumble, and guess who’s there?? Yep, John Greenwood, who pounces on it at the one. Greenwood, then slams it home for six points, and the exclamation point on a fine offensive and defensive performance. Coyote’s 58-0 at the half. Game Over.

The Stat-line

The Coyotes, ranked #1 in the State and #7 in the Nation(6,8,9 man) claim their 9th Regional Crown in the last ten years. A record, many, many teams would love to own. Coaches Jerry Burkhart, Shawn Rogers, Michael Brand, and their fearsome Coyote pack will travel to Moody, this Friday night at 7:30 PM, for the much anticipated matchup, with the Trojans of Calvert. This should be a game for the ages, and Head Coach Burkhart urges all Richland Springs fans to be... LOUD....bring your noise makers, your rattles, your drums, whistles and air horns. The Richland Springs "7th Man" needs to be heard on this Friday night. Go...Fight...Win!!!

.... Rushing.... Denim Reeves, 10 for 174 yds and 3 tds, John Greenwood, 3 for 48 and 2 tds. Passing....Denim Reeves, 3 of 5 for 32 yds and 1 td, Chance Bush 1 of 1 for 26 yds and 1 td. Receiving..... Stephen Fowler,3 catches for 32 yds and 1 td, Denim Reeves, 1 catch for 26 yds and a td. Kicking....Frankie Soto 5 for 7 PATs for 10 pts. Defensively, the Coyotes held the Eagles to 1 first down and a total of 34 yards rushing. The Eagles, couldn’t even catch a thermal, as they went 0 for 5, through the air. Stephen Fowler, Chance Bush, John Greenwood, Brian Torres and Ben VanCleave, led the Coyote defense in tackles with Brennen McGinty, Elbert Thomas, Tommy Hollon, Neil McMillan, and Stephen Thornhill contributing as well.