The Sayre Eagles football team played their final game of the season last Friday when they traveled to Hinton. There, a “winner take all’ contest was claimed by the Comets with a score of 34 to 16. Hinton won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Sayre attempted a surprise onside kick but it was recovered by Conner Royal for the Comets at the 50 yard line. From there, Hinton marched the distance to the goal line in 8 plays with the final play a 22 yard touchdown pass from QB Grayden Deviney to Colten Helms. The PAT kick was good and Hinton led 7 to 0. Berek Bawden returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the 50 yard line to give the Eagles excellent field position for their first possession of the game. Sayre took full advantage of the short field and ground out the 50 yards in 10 plays to the Comet end zone with Jaden Mosser ending the drive on a one yard run. ZekeCurtisforcedhisway in for the 2 point PAT and Sayre had the lead 8-7 with 3:51 left in the first quarter.
After a 19 yard return of the ensuing kickoff, the Comets began their next possession from their own 40. Hinton used up the remaining time in the first quarter and 6 seconds of the second quarter to complete a 60 yard drive to the Eagle end zone. QB Deviney ran across the final eleven yards. The PAT kick failed and the score was now 13 to 8 with 11:54 left in the first half.
The Eagles could only go from their own 24 to the 37 before a punt was made by Mosser of 23 yards to the Hinton 40. Sayre held Hinton in 4 plays to only 8 yards out to the Hinton 48 where the Eagles took control of the ball. A fumble on the first play was recovered for the Comets by Kyle Harrall at the Eagle 47 yard line. Hinton took advantage of the fumble when they cruised the distance in six plays. The final play was a fourth down 24 yard run by Deviney. The PAT kick was good and the score read 20 to 8 with 3:10 left in the first half of play.
Following a 16 yard return of the ensuing kickoff out to the Sayre 28 by B. Bawden the Eagles marched to the Comet 25 before running out of down as the first half ended.
Sayre received the second half kickoff and begam their possession at their own 28 yard line. Just like their first drive in the first quarter the Eagles put on a slow irresistible 72 yard drive to
EAGLES STATS HINTON 19 First Downs 15 60/186 Rush Yards 34/257 2/7/15 Pass Yards 2/2/34 201 Total Yards 291 3 Turnovers 1 1/5 Penalties 8/66 2/48/24.0 Punts ------
paydirt in a time consuming 18 plays. Hunter Hanrahan tacked on the final 11 yards for the TD. Mosser ran for the 2 point PAT and Sayre was within striking distance with 3:47 left in the third quarter.
The ensuing kickoff was onside with Zeke Curtis recovering for the Eagles at the Comet 47 yard line. However, the Eagles could not put on another drive as before and gave up the ball after a 25 yard punt by Mosser rolled to the Hinton 29. Having dodged the bullet the Comets went on a 71 yard TD drive in only 4 plays with the final play a 40 yard TD run by Deuce Tripp.
The PAT kick was true and the score read 27 to 16 with 4 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Following the ensuing kickoff the Eagles seemed to be going on another long distant march but the 12th play was a fumble at the Hinton 45 and a recovery was made by Kyle Harrall for Hinton. Hinton drove 55 yards from there to claim the final TD of the game. The PAT was straight to give a final score of 34 to 16. Hinton will move into the playoffs as the fourth place team in the district.
Three seniors played in the Eagles final contest. They are KK Beaird, Hunter Hanrahan and Zane Allen. Allen led the team in rushing with a 5.68 yards per carry on 914 yards. Hunter tied the record for most interceptions in a game last year with 3.
All 3 had a good career for Sayre and will be missed in the future. The Eagle success with their wing formation must be credited to the line up front. These players are KK Beaird, Matthew Wynn, Alex Chavez, Triston Easter, Brock Helton and Stone Mackey. All will be back next year except KK and he will be sorely missed both as a player and a leader. Coach Craig Hixon and Assistant coaches Patton Pugh, Dakin Harris, Hunter Hines, Kyle Merrick and Nick Fowler put together a strong competing team this year. Their 5 wins are the most wins in a season since 2011 under Coach Wes Brower when Sayre went 5 wins 6 losses. Sayre made the playoffs that year but lost in the first game.
They would like to thank the All Sports club and the many fans who turned out in support for the Eagles.
