By Lee Trawick: Riverbend News
The Suwannee High School Bulldogs traveled to Pensacola, Fla., on Friday, Nov. 20, to play the Pine Forest High School Eagles.
The Bulldogs came into the game with a five game winning streak, while the Eagles were coming off an overtime win against the Wakulla War Eagles. A win that not only propelled the Eagles to an 4-4 record on the season, but advanced them to the next round of the football state playoffs against the Suwannee Bulldogs.
Both the Bulldogs and now the Eagles had played the Wakulla War Eagles. While the Bulldogs came away with a convincing win earlier in the season, the Eagles needed overtime to get their victory. All the odds pointed to the 8-2 Suwannee Bulldogs victory over the 4-4 Pine Forest Eagles.
Quarterback Jaquez Moore, knew what was at stake. Not only advancing in the playoffs, but what could potentially be his final game in a bulldogs jersey. So to say this was just another game, it was anything but. Moore lead the Bulldogs onto the field, willing his team with his legs in the running game as well as his arm. While the first quarter was a hard fought battle, the Bulldogs had nothing to show for their efforts. The Bulldogs defense was stepping up and keeping the Eagles offense grounded through the first quarter.
It would be the second quarter before the Eagles were able to execute their game plan and finally get into the end-zone. With the extra point added, the Eagles took a 7-0 lead. But the Bulldogs would respond later in the second quarter, when Moore called upon receiver Garrison Beach. Beach would catch a beautiful over the shoulder pass for the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the night. The first half would come to an end with a tough 7-7 tie.
The Eagles would come out for third quarter and put together their best drive of the night and take the lead again 14-7. The Bulldogs and Moore would immediately answer with a touchdown of their own, with the extra point added. The score was now tied 14-14. Although it was an ugly third quarter with several questionable calls by the referees, and a few misfortunate mistakes, plus a blocked field goal by the Eagles special teams; the Bulldogs were putting themselves in a position to finally gain their first lead of the night. Shortly after the fourth quarter got underway, the Bulldogs took advantage of the momentum built from the third quarter. The Bulldogs scored first in the fourth quarter, taking a 20-14 lead. The biggest misfortune of the night for the Bulldogs would come after a botched snap on the extra point attempt, that would result in an unsuccessful point-after attempt. Leaving the score 20-14.
The Bulldogs defense, while exhausted and tired, battled to the very end. Keeping the Eagles from mounting any kind of response, midway through the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs would look to expand on their lead, but again questionable calls by the referees would prevent the Bulldogs from advancing down the field and eating up the clock.
The Eagles received the ball back towards the end of the game with one final drive. The Bulldogs defense dug in and made the Eagles fight for every inch. But with two minutes to go in the game, the Eagles were able to find the end-zone tying the ballgame up 20-20 with the extra point still to come. The Eagles would execute the extra point attempt to regain the lead 21-20, with just under two minutes to go in the game. Moore would try to will his Bulldogs down the field in a desperation drive that would not only determine the outcome of the game, but potentially extend or end their season and his career in the green and white uniform.
Unfortunately it was not meant to be for the Bulldogs on this night. After a desperation pass down the field on their last play, it was knocked down by a host of Eagle defenders, shutting the door on the Bulldogs season 20-21. The Bulldogs ended their season with an 8-3 record.