Eagle Pass Eagles Upset by Uvalde Coyotes 28-27 in Overtime in 2019 Season Opener
By: Mathew Felan, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles were upset by the visiting Uvalde High School Coyotes 28-27 in overtime in a thrilling 2019 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium, stunning the loyal Eagle Nation football aficionados.
The game was one of two different halves as the Eagles dominated the first half with their War Eagle Offense and Land Shark Defense taking a 21-6 lead into halftime, but the Coyotes made key adjustments at halftime and dominated the second half to tie the game 21-21 at end of regulation time. The game went into overtime where the final result was decided by a point after attempt.
In the first half, the potent Eagles’ War Eagle Offense struck paydirt on three different occasions as first year junior quarterback Fernando Sarabia passed for 217 yards and three passing touchdowns in the game. Sarabia made his varsity debut one to remember, throwing two of the three touchdowns to sophomore wide receiver Dakota Kypuros and the other to sophomore running back Jose Hernandez. Sarabia confidence grew as the game went on, slinging a deep pass to Dakota Kypuros who then went on to catch the ball despite being well defended and raced to the end zone to score on a 69-yard touchdown pass with 4:48 minutes left in the Second Quarter, increasing the Eagles lead 14-6 before halftime.
The “War Eagle” Offense went for a total of 315 yards with 98 rushing yards by standout running back Jose Hernandez who eluded potential Coyote defenders throughout the game. In overtime, Hernandez scampered into the end zone on a five yard run to give the Eagles a 27-21 lead as the point after attempt failed. Hernandez was able to reach the endzone with a 5-yard rushing touchdown in overtime to make it 27-21.
On the Defensive side of the ball, the Eagles “Landshark” Defense was led by senior linebacker Saul Peralez who had 3.5 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for losses and 1 sack in the Coyotes backfield and forced two turnovers off the Coyotes Offense.
With three minutes left in the First Quarter, senior defensive back Kristian Barcena fleeced the Coyotes wide receivers, getting an interception and putting the Eagles Offense into scoring position. On another Coyote drive late in the first half, Eagles senior linebacker Joe Samaniego sacked the Coyote quarterback with seven seconds remaining to stop a potential Coyote scoring drive. Another key defensive play occurred with three minutes into the Fourth Quarter when three Eagles’ defensive backs hard hitting play caused the Coyote wide receiver to fumble the football and Eagles senior defensive back Kristian Barcena scooped the loose pigskin for a short yardage return, but denying the Coyotes another potential scoring drive.
In the second half, the Coyotes rallied to score 15 unanswered points against the Eagles’ Land Shark Defense after making important adjustments during halftime while the Eagles’ War Eagle Offense moved the football but was unable to punch it across the goal line, resulting in a 21-21 tie at the end of regulation time and forcing overtime.
In overtime, the Eagles received the football first and proceeded to score on a five yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Jose Hernandez behind the blocking of the Eagles big offensive line. However, the point after attempt by the Eagles failed, giving them a six point lead 27-21 with the Coyotes turn to have possession in overtime. The Coyotes too engineered a touchdown run in overtime to tie the Eagles 27-27, but the Coyotes successfully made their point after attempt to earn the hard fought victory and upset over the home standing Eagles.
The Eagles played hard throughout the game, but it was not meant to be this evening against a never say die Uvalde Coyotes team that was hungry to avenge last year’s embarrassing 42-18 loss at home to the Eagles.
The Eagles will regroup and review the game film to assess what they need to work on for next week’s non-district game against a very tough and physical San Antonio Southwest High School Dragons on September 6, 2019 at home at 7:30 P.M.
