Argyle Athletics Booster Club, Argyle H.S. TX

The Eagles showed the heart of a champion by persevering through the highs and lows that came along during their terrific 17-week season.  And that heart was once again on display last night during their regional semi-final game against the Snyder Tigers in Graham.  In the end, Snyder, and their great running back Will Clay, made a couple more plays than the Eagles as they won 34-27.

"I'm especially proud of the leadership of this group of seniors", said Coach Rodgers.  " They were our first freshmen team here four years ago.  Their will power, dedication, commitment to hard work, and fortitude inspired all of us this year".

Teams with lesser character and senior leadership would have started making their post season plans after falling behind 34-20 with 3 1/2 minutes to play but not this group. For example, consider how two of the Eagles' seniors responded.

On what turned out to be the final Eagle possession of the year, Senior QB JJ Harp  teamed up with senior wideout Matt Handler on a remarkable comeback attempt.  Harp connected with Handler 4 times on this drive 3 of which went for 1st downs and the other for a 27 yard touchdown to get Argyle within one score of the Tigers with 2 minutes to play. 

Had the Eagles recovered the ensuing onside kick, they would have been in great position to tie the game and send it to overtime.  But Synder made the plays it needed to and got a key first down to run out the clock to win the game.

"Snyder is a very good team and we wish them the best of luck for the rest of the playoffs", said Coach Rodgers.  "It's incredibly sad right now for all of us and especially the seniors", he continued.  "But in time the pain of this will fade and they will only remember all the positive things and goals this team was able to accomplish".

 Game Recap

This game showcased the talent, character, and coaching of two very good teams that both played well as they were both determined to advance to the regional finals.  It was downright balmy compared to last week at kickoff as Argyle won the toss and decided to defer their choice to the second half. 

Senior Ben Parks sent the opening kickoff into orbit and out of the end zone for a touchback.  On the Tiger's first possession, Will Clay ripped off a couple of nice runs before the defense stiffened allowing senior safety Michael Stein to make a key 3rd down stop forcing a Snyder punt. 

Argyle's offense then began marching quickly down the field on their first, and what turned out to be only, possession of the opening quarter.  JJ connected with junior receiver Brady Brown for a couple of 15 yard completions.  On the key play of this drive, JJ made a great scramble and 28 yard throw to sophomore receiver Tyler Sweatt on 3rd down and 17.  Once again, the offensive line stepped up to mimimize the pass rush of Snyder's defensive line which had a considerable size advantage it appeared.  The drive stalled, but Parks was ready as he easily made the 30 yard field goal to put Argyle up 3-0 and culminate this 6 minute drive.

Snyder responded by driving methodically downfield despite several big tackles by senior linebacker Trevor Cantrell and senior DL Cooper Sewell that resulted in lost yardage.  Synder held the ball into the second quarter and were able to punch in for the touchdown, but they missed the extra point with 10 minutes remaining until halftime.  The extra point was no good, and the Tigers led 6-3.

After senior Justin McGuffey returned the kickoff 44 yards, JJ quickly got the Eagles into scoring position with key completions to Matt Handler and Brady Brown.  Senior linemen Corey White and Matt Grounds opened up big running lanes for Frizzell as he ripped off a couple of nice runs on this drive too.  Again, the Eagles drive stalled and Parks nailed his 2nd field goal from 37 yards out to tie the game with 8 minutes remaining in the half.

Once again, Snyder moved downfield on the ground into scoring position.  With just under four minutes to go in the half, the Tigers ran in for their second touchdown to go up 12-6.  Senior safety Gavin Pucciarello then made a big play as he dove in to block the extra point.  Incredibly, this was his 4th blocked extra point on the season.

It only took two more minutes for Argyle to regain the lead.  With Frizzell running strong behind blocks by junior Lloyd Marshall and sophomore Matt Thompson, the Eagles looked unstoppable.  Harp threw again to Matt Handler, who made a great catch to keep the drive alive on a 3rd and long.  Tyler Sweatt also made a diving catch, which set up the go-ahead score.  JJ hit Brady Brown in the back of the end-zone for the 6-yard TD.  With the extra point, Argyle led 13-12 with two minutes remaining in the half.

Snyder moved quickly downfield on the ground into Argyle territory.  The Tigers then threw their first pass of the game with one minute remaining in the half to set up a 1st down at the Eagle 30 yard line with 15 seconds remaining.  On their second pass attempt, junior cornerback Matt Moore stepped in front of the Tiger receiver to get the interception and preserve the lead going into the half.  This was Moore's team leading 5th interception for the year.

Argyle received to begin what became an even more exciting game, with big plays being made by both teams. The Eagles put together a nearly 6-minute drive of their own as JJ showed great patience and playmaking ability, while connecting with Handler and Brown for key completions.  On the night, both receivers went over 100 yards receiving showing the versatility of the Eagle's offensive attack.  The offensive line continued to open big holes for Kyle Frizzell, while giving JJ plenty of time to find his receivers.  On 3rd and 17, JJ found Justin McGuffey open in the end zone and he made a nice catch to put the Eagles out in front 20-12.

Parks then sent the kickoff through the uprights for a touchback - which really ought to count for something in my opinion.  Starting at their own 20 yard line with 6 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, Snyder's running back Will Clay made the 1st of 3 game-breaking runs.   On second down, Clay went 70 yards for the score and then added a run for a two-point conversion to tie the game 20-20.  I have no idea how much time was left since Graham's scoreboard clock melted down and didn't work for most of the half.

The Eagles then put together a nice drive once again behind Harp's scrambling throws to Brown, Handler, and McGuffey, and Frizzell's quick bursts for nice yardage.  With rain coming down again - thankfully the 65 degree kind and not the 35 degree rain we had last week - Snyder's defense held and forced the only punt on the night for Argyle.  Parks punt went 45 yards into the end zone for a touchback.

The Eagles defense then stepped up and made a stop.  Sophmore David Johnson put a nice hit on Clay to force a loss, while junior LB Robbie Ehlers and senior DL Mark Capra teamed up to stop the potent Tiger running game at the line of scimmage.  On 3rd and long, senior cornerback Colby Oberle had perfect coverage on the Snyder receiver and broke up the pass to force a punt, as time expired in the 3rd quarter

The Eagles then drove into Tiger territory going into the wind and rain with two key scrambles for 1st downs by JJ Harp.  Another completion to Brady Brown, and it looked like Argyle was ready to go in for the go ahead TD.  But the drive stalled again and this time Parks 41 yard FG attempt was plenty long but just wide left.

Three plays later, Will Clay went 50 yards for his 3rd touchdown of the game and the two-point conversion put the Tigers up 28-20, with about 5 1/2 minutes to go in the game.   Argyle moved quickly into Tiger territory again with Harp connecting with Brown and McGuffey. 

As you can tell, JJ played a terrific game on his way to completing 30 passes for 325 yards in the game.  With just under 4 minutes to play, Argyle faced a 4th and 4 at the Tiger 39 yard line.  Harp scrambled up the middle, broke a tackle and dove for what appeared to be a first down,  On the measurement, the Eagles were less than 6 inches short and the ball went over to the Tigers.

On the next play, Will Clay raced 65 yards for the score to put the Tigers up 34-20.  Trevor Cantrell and senior linebacker Pat Dawkins put a big hit on Clay stopping him short of the goal line on the two point conversion.

Argyle then showed the heart of the champion mentioned earlier, as JJ and Matt Handler teamed up, along with key completions to McGuffey and Brown, to move right back down the field for an Argyle TD.  With less than two minutes to go, Argyle trailed 34-27.  The onside kick was recovered by the Tigers and they were able to run out the clock.