The air was full of excitement as the OK White-leading Rangers of Forest Hills Central visited Eagle Stadium on Homecoming night for an important conference clash. Living up to the scouting report, FHC came out with a fast and physical brand of football that caught the hesitant Eagles under the chin to start the game. Nearing the end of the second quarter, a pick-six in the shadow of their own goal line put the boys from GR Christian in a 21-0 hole and what looked like an early celebration for the Rangers.

However, flexing what has now become the characteristic grit and toughness of this year's team, the Eagles were not going to lay down and quit. With just under two minutes to go in the first half, the Eagles marched 85 yards in 8 plays - sparked by an amazing 45-yard catch and run by CJ Jones, and capped by a 4 yard TD strike from Alek Wickstrom to Jones. After a failed PAT, the Eagles went into halftime down 21-6 and ready to fight.

Two long Wickstrom throws to Amir Nixon set up an 8 yard Wickstrom to Nixon TD on the first drive of the second half to cut the Ranger lead to 21-14. The two teams battled back and forth, trading touchdowns until late in the fourth quarter, when a big 4th down stop by the Eagle defense gave the ball back to the offense, down 28-20 with just over three minutes left and 75 yards to the end zone. The ensuing 14-play drive was punctuated by a 3-yard Buddy Hogan touchdown run, and when Jones stretched around the left side of the defense to the pylon for a successful two point try, the Eagles had fought their way all the way back to tie the game - with only 34 seconds remaining. 

The Rangers quickly punched in the first touchdown of overtime and the Eagles could not answer, ending a fantastic football game and a valiant battle by the Block C Boys, who went toe-to-toe with a very good program that is two classifications bigger in size. Of note, the Eagle offense has now had three late-game, long drives this year with the game hanging in the balance and needing to score - and have come through each time with drives of 93, 80, and 85 yards respectively.

Alek Wickstrom and Buddy Hogan joined to lead the offensive resurgence, with Wickstrom going 20-33 for 228 yards and 2 TDs while Hogan rushed 18 times for 133 yards and 2 scores of his own. Ace Thomas led the Eagles in catches (6) while Amir Nixon and CJ Jones each chipped in several long receptions, including one touchdown each. 

Aek Koval turned in another fantastic performance on defense, registering 7.5 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and yet another quarterback sack. Scott Stockwell continued his impressive play in the trenches to go along with strong contributions from linemen Ahmon Parks, Luke Selfe, and Jaylin Garcia.

GR Christian continues to battle through the strong OK White conference as they travel to face 6-0 Byron Center this Friday at 7:00 PM. Go Eagles!