By Barrett Roberson.
The Eagles won their first playoff game against El Paso Hanks 84-14 at Shotwell Stadium on Thursday with a record-setting 70 first-half points.
Though they had one of the biggest wins in school history, this was a bittersweet moment for many of the team’s seniors because it was their last time on the turf at Shotwell Stadium.
“It was really good,” Slack said. “I mean I was happy and excited to celebrate with my teammates and family, but the thought of it being the last game at Shotwell, it kind of hurt a little bit, but that’s a good way to go out with a game like that.”
The game started quick for the Eagles, with their first play from scrimmage being a long rushing touchdown by sophomore Brayden Henry. They ended the first quarter with a 28-0 lead.
“We’ve prepared all week for it and the coaches did a great job,” Slack said. “We went out there and were just hype. That was the most intensity and the most juice we’ve ever had before a game, and I think that showed on the field.”
The quick start continued into the second quarter, with six touchdowns being scored within it. Although this game came easy for the Eagles, that doesn’t indicate success for next week.
“You have to earn it,” Slack said. “You’re not guaranteed next week, you have to go out there and you have to earn a spot for the next week. There’s a lot on the line each week you go out there and play, so there’s definitely a different feeling.”
Senior Antoine “Bam” Rashaw scored the last touchdown of the game for the Eagles after being ruled out for the season back in September.
“There was a possibility that I came back and a possibility that I didn’t,” Rashaw said. “In the moment it felt like, ‘Wow, I really came back and scored’, but I knew I could do it. I was supposed to be out all season so it just felt really great to score.”
Rashaw being back helps the team on and off the field.
“I feel like I’m the energy on the team,” Rashaw said. “I’m one of the energies on the team. I’m always trying to feed into my teammates and keep everybody up and just be a good teammate.”
It wasn’t just the offense that was putting up points for the Eagles. Senior defensive back Tre Sharp had an interception returned for a touchdown early in the first quarter, and junior wide receiver Ryland Bradford scored a 71 yard kickoff return touchdown to open the second half.
“I’m most impressed by the way we handled ourselves,” Slack said. “Even though we were up by a lot, we didn’t get chippy with the other team and we didn’t get cocky. We still played Abilene High football and we stayed disciplined.”
The Eagles play Denton Ryan in DFW on Friday for the second round of the playoffs.
“Next week is supposed to be a lot tougher of an opponent,” Slack said. “So the mentality is just to keep your head down and keep working. To what we’ve been doing all year. We just need to stay disciplined and keep working hard.”
