By DAVID WOOD, for The Democrat
From the newly established block party to the stands, fans, families and athletes alike packed the house in preparation for this year’s homecoming game.
Pitted against a large and fast Beech Grove, with a 3-1 record so far, the Eagles, 1-3, hoped to turn around their slow season start by riding the night’s energetic atmosphere.
Despite the positive turnout and support, the Eagles suffered a tough 58-14 loss.
However, the score didn’t accurately reflect what took place on the field, Head Coach Randy Minniear said. “They’re a really good team and very well coached, probably the biggest team we played against, and I feel we held our own a lot of the way,” he said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]“It’s 30-14 coming out of the first half, and we missed the onside kick by just that much. We get that onside kick and take it in, now it’s 30-22 and the momentum is on our side, so we can play a little looser.”
Following the failed onside kick, Beech Grove capitalized on a series of fumbles and interceptions, sealing the Eagles’ fate in the second half.
These small mistakes are large within the scope of the game, but they’re at least correctable, Minniear said. He’s convinced the team will continue to learn and grow from their experience.
Even with the deflating score, supporters continued to cheer with the same energy, something senior Jadin Mobley noticed.
“We have a lot of people supporting our team and that’s what we really appreciate,” he said.
Fellow senior and teammate Dale Phelps agreed. The energy surrounding homecoming is different from most games, he said. “I mean, normally, there’s not that much excitement, and I feel that it gets us going when there is. Knowing that we have a whole county here supporting us and wanting us to win … it means a lot.”
“Sometimes people don’t realize how much they’re doing for us by giving us that kind of support and enthusiasm,” Minniear added.
The Eagles are hoping to pull from that positivity and carry it into the second half of their season.
While their opponents will be just as good, they might not have the same size advantage seen in the last four games.
“I don’t think the teams we’ll play going forward are going to be as big, which will help us a little bit. They’re awfully good, but just not as big as the teams we’ve been playing,” Minniear said.
Win or lose, as a senior Phelps recognizes his time under the stadium lights is coming to a close.
“Every game I come out and don’t feel like it’s my last, but when it gets to the fourth quarter and the coach pulls you out, you think, ‘Wow, it’s getting closer to the end; time flies,’” he said.
