By JACOB MOORE, for The Democrat
On the wings of a last-minute touchdown, the Brown County Eagles topped the visiting Jennings County Panthers 12-7 Friday.
“Nothing makes me prouder than the fight and moxie these guys showed,” said Head Coach Randy Minniear. “Believing they can win is huge. They weren’t going to accept defeat.”
On and off the field, the 2020 home opener was one to remember.
First, it was Senior Night. That’s traditionally celebrated on the last home game of the season, but like many schools, Brown County chose to do it at an early home game in case the season is interrupted.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Second, the game was sold out and many fans were turned away at the gate. The stands weren’t full, but in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance from the state, only 300 tickets were available. Tickets sold out within minutes of becoming available online.
Some fans who couldn’t get in climbed the hill near the administration building overlooking most of the field and watched from lawn chairs. Others laid out blankets just outside the fence near the recycling center.
No matter their vantage, Brown County fans saw the team prevail in a hard-fought defensive struggle. “That’s like a win unlike we’ve had in a while,” said Offensive Coordinator Colton Sample.
Last year, the Eagles primarily threw the ball. First downs, scores and incomplete passes all stop the clock and extend the game. Win or lose, most Brown County games last year were high scoring. For example, the Jennings County game last year ended in a 42-35 Panthers victory.
After each team’s first possession Friday, fans may have expected another high-scoring affair. Both teams drove deep into opposing territory before ultimately coming up short on fourth down.
But near-miss drives would prove to be the norm, with both teams struggling to get on the board. Brown County ultimately outgained Jennings County 340 yards to 282, but yards didn’t necessarily translate into points. The game remained knotted at zero through the whole first quarter.
The Eagles broke the scoring drought early in the second quarter on a dramatic 15-yard touchdown run by junior running back Wanblee Roux. The play began with Roux taking a handoff into the left side of the line. A mass of players quickly formed, with Eagles flocking to block, while a pack of Panthers swarmed, hoping to tackle. Then, Roux slipped free from the scrum and cut back to a now-abandoned right side of the field for a touchdown. Cameron Payne’s extra point attempt was blocked, leaving Brown County on top 6-0 with 10:57 left in the second quarter.
Jennings County’s touchdown started with a remarkable punt. Casey Brooks booted a 53-yard punt that rolled out of bounds on Brown County’s three yard line with 8:08 left in the quarter. The Eagles drove the ball out of the shadow of their own goal post, but ultimately had to punt.
Beginning their ensuing possession in Eagle territory, Jennings County capped its drive with a six-yard touchdown run by quarterback Peyton Hayden. The Panthers converted the extra point to claim a 7-6 lead with 3:02 left in the quarter.
That score would stubbornly persist, with both teams playing bend-but-don’t-break defense. For Brown County, the defensive contributions of three players — Roux, playing linebacker on defense, senior cornerback Travis Ely and junior defensive end Malachi Nickels — would prove critical.
“We knew Hayden was their best athlete by far and we’d have to contain him,” said Co-Defensive Coordinator Jay Myers. “That’s why we put Wanblee Roux at spy.” (A “spy” is a defensive player assigned to shadow a mobile quarterback and prevent long runs.)
Late in the third quarter, Jennings County seemed poised to extend its lead, reaching as far as Brown County’s eight yard line, and ultimately lining up for a field goal. After an illegal procedure penalty, the field goal would have been a 37-yard attempt, and the Panthers opted instead to throw the ball into the end zone. Hayden heaved the ball to a seemingly open receiver. At the last second, Travis Ely sprang up and snatched the ball out of the sky.
The fourth quarter was an emotional rollercoaster. With 7:28 left in the game, junior running back Kody Walsh (141 yards on 16 carries) broke a 34-yard run to take the ball into Panther territory.
Jennings County appeared exhausted and the Eagles seemed destined to retake the lead. But hopes were seemingly dashed with 6:48 remaining when the Panthers forced and recovered a fumble. Jennings County got a first down. Time was running out on the Eagles and a 7-6 loss growing more likely.
With 3:48 left, hope was renewed. The Eagles returned the favor and forced a Panther runner to cough up the ball. Malachi Nickels would emerge from the bottom of the pile with the ball. On the ensuing possession, Nickels would haul in a 31-yard pass from junior quarterback Seth Oliphant (9-13 for 118 yards) to the Panthers’ 25 yard line.
With two minutes to play, the Eagles faced fourth down and one from the 17 yard line. Oliphant took the shotgun snap and threw himself into the line, gaining a yard and a half. Two plays later, Walsh plowed into the end zone from seven yards out. The two-point conversion attempt came up a foot short and the Eagles led 12-7 with 1:05 to play.
Brown County’s defense answered the call one final time, forcing a turnover on downs on Jennings County’s ensuing possession.
“(The close win) feels phenomenal,” Minniear said after the game. “I may be getting too old for games like these!”
The Eagles, now 2-0 on the year, will next play on the road at Cloverdale on Friday, Sept. 4.
