Argyle Athletics Booster Club, Argyle H.S. TX

OK, so I'm not what you would consider a "neutral obsever" but it would be hard for anyone to argue that the Eagles dominated in their opener at Iowa Park.    The Eagles rolled to an impressive 38-13 victory in Iowa Park as they scored on 6 of their first 7 possessions.  Sporting brand new helmets (black with red flecks - very nice!) and uniforms, the Eagles looked good in all three phases of the game.

The Eagles won the coin toss and deferred to the second half and the defense did not disappoint.  Kicker Ben Parks sent a high and deep kickoff to the goalline which Iowa Park took out to the 20 yard line.  The Eagle D quickly established itself led by 10 yard sack from senior nosegaurd Collin Mock forcing Iowa Park to punt.

With the ball at their own 48 yard line to start, Argyle quickly went to work as senior QB JJ Harp ripped off a 14-yard run for a first down.  After JJ completed passes to senior wideout Matt Handler for 11 yards and junior receiver Brady Brown for 12 yards.  The Eagles looked ready to roll into the end zone.  After a penalty, a sack, and a nice 10 yard burst by Kyle Frizzell, Ben Parks delivered on a 27 yard field goal to put Argyle up 3-0 halfway through the first quarter.

Parks then showed why he is a Division 1 prospect and the returning first team all-state kicker as he sent the kickoff an estimated 75 yards through the end zone and into the tunnel leading to the field house.  At that point, Iowa Park settled in and put on a nice display of West Texas old school football featuring misdirections, direct snaps to running backs, and power sweeps.  Iowa Park took four minutes to go in for the TD and added the extra point to make it 7-3 with 2:01 to go in quarter one.

With the opening game jitters out of the way, the Eagles offensive machine went into high gear.  Showing a burst of speed and elusivness that impressed many, senior Garrett Jones returned the kickoff 38 yards setting the Eagles up at their own 44 yard line.  The Eagles offensive line took control as Kyle Frizzell carried for runs of 7 and 4 yards for a first down.  JJ Harp then connected with Brady Brown who made a terrific catch in traffic for a 14 yard gain.  Then Frizzell blasted up the middle breaking 3 tackles on his way to a 30 yard touchdown.  Parks easily added the extra-point putting Argyle back on top 10-7 and they never looked back. Parks once again sent the kickoff through the back of the end zone for a touchback as time expired in the first quarter. 

After making some adjustments, the Eagle defense showed their ability to control the line of scrimmage and swarm to the football as they shut down the Hawks.  "I was pleased with our effort and energy on defense," commented Coach Todd Rodgers.  "We worked our kids in a lot of positions during two-a-days and it paid off for us tonight."

With jarring hits coming from senior LB Trevor Cantrell and sophmore DL David Johnson, the Eagles forced a three and out and the Hawks punted the ball to the Argyle 24 yard line.

On first down, JJ Harp completed a screen pass to Kyle Frizzell who picked up 24 yards bringing the ball to mid-field.  After an Argyle penalty, JJ Harp showed his speed and elusivness as he broke free for runs of 21 and 33 yards setting the Eagles up inside the Hawk 20.  Frizzell then ripped off an 8 yard run behind nice blocks by center Corey White and sophmore RT Matt Thompson for another Argyle TD.  The extra point was good and Argyle led 17-7 with 8:28 remaining in the half.

Now kicking into a stiff breeze, Parks drilled the kickoff two yards deep which was returned out to the 28 yard line before senior safety Gavin Pucciarello could make the tackle.  (For fun at the next out of town game, have your friends get together to guess how the PA guy pronounces Gavin's last name.  Iowa Park could go nowhere with big stops made by senior cornerback Colby Oberle and sophomore LB Jake Katzen (who had 4 tackles in the quarter) forcing another three and out.

After a nice Iowa Park punt pinned the Eagles back at their own 14 yard line with 5:34 remaining, the Eagles offense went back to work.  With guards Matt Grounds and Chas Eads leading the offensive line, Iowa Park could get no pressure allowing JJ to complete two passes to Matt Handler for 12 and 24 yards.  Kyle Frizzell ran for another 11 yards and JJ connected with a streaking Brady Brown who ran down to the 11 yard line before a fumble ended the Eagle drive.  This was the only drive the Eagles had in their first 7 that did not result in points.

"The offensive line and coach Chancelor made some nice adjustments during the game",  said Coach Rodgers. "Their play helped set good tempo for us, offensively and defensively.  When we get rolling like that, we play well."

With 3:25 remaining Iowa Park could go nowhere as junior cornerback Matt Moore stuffed a sweep by the Hawks and DL David Johnson spent the possession in the Iowa Park backfield.  The Hawks were forced to punt and this time Gavin Pucciarello returned it 22 yards to the Iowa Park 48 yard line setting the Eagles up with 1st and 10 with 1:13 remaining.  That was 54 seconds more than the Eagles needed to put more points on the board.

JJ found senior speedster Justin McGuffey coming across the middle and Justin sprinted 27 yards down to the Hawk 21 yard line.  After downing the ball, Harp hit Brady Brown on a corner route and he made another spectacular catch with the Hawk defender hanging all over him.  Brown's 21 yard reception put the Eagles in the end zone after the 27 second drive.  Parks put the extra point through and the Eagles led 24-7.  Iowa Park could not get anything going as they were pinned deep again after the kickoff, and time expired.

It was more of the same in the second half as the Eagles kept rolling.  McGuffey nearly took the kickoff back all the way before being tripped up after a 64 yard return.  With the Eagles at the Hawk 25 yard line, JJ Harp locked in on senior slot back Garrett Jones for completions of 7 and 17 yards.  On the second reception Jones caught the ball at the 5 and dove for the end zone coming up just short.  With the noted "Bulls" offense in, senior Collin Mock plowed over the blocks of Matt Grounds and Riley Ledbetter for the score.  With 10:16 to go in the 3rd quarter, the Eagles led 31-7.

Iowa Park moved the ball steadily downfield before the Eagles defense could stiffen, forcing the ball over on downs at the Argyle 20.  "Our defense really battles.  They bended a little on this drive, but they refused to break which is good to see," said Coach Rodgers.   Colby Oberle made a couple of key tackles while junior DL Eddie Eckert blew up Hawk running backs on this drive, and really all night.

On first down, JJ kept the ball on an option for a 19 yard gain out to the 40 yard line.  After completions to Garrett Jones and Justin McGuffey for short gains, JJ hooked up with Brady Brown one more time.  Brown made the catch, put a move on the defender and raced untouched into the end zone for the touchdown from 43 yards out.  Harp was a perfect 5 completions in 5 attempts in the 3rd quarter. With 2:58 remaining in the quarter, the Eagles led 38-7 as Parks was automatic again on the extra point.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles took their foot off the gas and went to their running game to chew up some clock.  Senior running back Brandon Doubek rushed for 42 yards on 6 carries showing bursts of power on each run.  Frizzell added another 30 yards on 3 carries as he got over the 100 yard mark for the night.  Iowa Park did manage to connect on a 27 yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.  Gavin Pucciarello hustled in to block the extra point.

The teams basically traded possessions the rest of the game with the final score being Argyle 38, Iowa Park 13.