The Palestine Wildcats scored 21 unanswered points in the final quarter and a half to spoil the Fairfield Eagles homecoming 56-35 Friday night at Eagle Field.
It was another big night for the Eagle offense but their defense could not contain the Wildcats and a costly turnover sent the Eagles to defeat on the night.
Fairfield jumped out to an early lead in the opening moments of homecoming night. Quarterback Justin Abram connected with Demarcus Hayes for a 24-yard touchdown on their first possession. The extra point gave the Eagles an early 7-0 lead with 11:00 remaining in the first quarter.
Palestine had to punt on their first possession and the Eagles made quick work to grab a two-touchdown lead. Abram had a 19-yard run to midfield and added a 34-yard run inside the Wildcat 20. Three plays later, Jar-Mychael Hudson scored on a three-yard run to extend the lead to 14-0 with just under seven minutes to play in the first quarter.
The second half of the first quarter was dominated by the Wildcats and they tied the score. Jeremian Davis capped an eight-play drive with a nine-yard run to finish off the 62-yard drive. The Wildcat defense forced a punt and Palestine quarterback Christian Hutchinson completed a 40-yard pass to Marquis Thompson with only second remaining in the first quarter.
The Eagles regained the lead in the first seconds of the second quarter. Abram found Hayes for the second time in the half, this time for a 46-yard score. The Eagle defense forced a punt and the offense put the team ahead by two scores for the second time on the night. Beginning at their own 23, Abram and Hudson took charge of the running game. On the eighth play of the drive, Abram followed his offensive line into the end zone for the touchdown and the 28-14 lead.
Palestine would get to within one point going into the locker room with two touchdowns in the final moments of the first half. Hutchinson scored on a one yard run and then connected to Jakerian Conley for a 67 yard score in the final two minutes. The extra point failed and the Eagles led 28-27 at the half.
The Wildcats had the ball for the first possession of the second half and on the second down play, Davis lost the ball and Angel Limones climbed on the loose ball for the Eagle defense. It took five plays to move 34 yards, all on the ground and Abram scored on a 25-yard run for the go-ahead score 35-27 less than two minutes into the third quarter.
Palestine would save their best for the last twelve minutes of the game. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Hutchinson tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass and Davis added the conversion run to tie the score at 35-35.
The Wildcats would take their first lead of the game midway through the fourth on a 25-yard run by Quentin Cook for the 43-35 lead with 6:18 to go. The Fairfield offense committed a costly mistake on the next possession with a fumble. Tayon Huntley scooped up the loose ball and raced 63 yards for the defensive touchdown and extended the lead to 49-35.
Fairfield had a good drive left and worked deep into Wildcat territory and a fourth and goal and the three-yard line was stopped and the Eagle offense turned the ball over on downs.
Palestine turned the defensive stop into one more score to set the final tally. Davis ran around the right side of the Wildcat offense for an 80-yard run for the touchdown and the final score of 56-35.
The Fairfield Eagles finish the non-district portion of the schedule at 3-1 and will begin district play Friday night when the host the Lorena Leopards to open District 8-4A Division II play.
(Sports Photography by Melissa Lee)
