This past Friday, the Norristown Eagles would walk out their own Homecoming field to face the Boyertown Bears. The Eagles were coming off a 52-12 loss to the Perkiomen Valley Vikings, whom the Bears managed a 20-16 win over on Sept. 26. The last time that the Eagles had bested the Bears was a match-up on Oct. 22, 2021, which only lowered hopes for a win for the Eagles, even with the homecoming crowd and home-field advantage.
When game time arrived, it seemed that the game was following exactly what everybody thought would happen. The Eagles had quickly punted away the opening kickoff, and the Bears had already worked their way within 10 of the goal line early into the first quarter. Shockingly, the Eagles forced a fumble and recovered. Now that the Eagles had the ball, they moved it upfield and away from their end zone.
Though the drive would end with the Eagles punting at midfield, the Bears would move the ball back into Eagles territory. The game was scoreless throughout the first quarter. The Eagles had already soared past expectations, preventing the Bears from gaining a substantial lead, or any lead at that.
The Bears would start the second quarter with a rushing touchdown by running back Michael Boorse off of their first-quarter drive. They also scored the extra point, taking the lead 7-0. Though they now trailed by seven, the Eagles had already proven they could compete with the Bears in this game, so doubts were much lower than they were in other games.
The remainder of the first half consisted of both teams’ defenses shutting down the other teams’ drives. They kept offensive advances to a minimum, preventing either team from scoring for the rest of the first half. The score would remain 7-0 headed into the second half, and the homecoming crowds’ hopes were high for the Eagles.
The Eagles’ defense swiftly shut down the Bears’ drive off the halftime kickoff, forcing them to punt. On this drive, Eagles’ receiver Kayden Singleton ran it in from deep, causing the Eagles to score the extra point to tie the game at 7. On the following drive, the Bears were forced into a 4th and 1 situation on the Eagles 15. The Bears went for it, and unfortunately scored the go-ahead touchdown and extra point to take the lead back at 14-7.
The rest of the third quarter and the start of the fourth were a struggle for both teams to gain yardage. Six more drives would take place, all of which ended in punts until the next major drive occurred. The Eagles would get an amazing return to take them to the Bears 38, giving them a great field position and very little distance to make.
Sadly, after running back Cyan Greene obtained the ball, he was taken down by the Bears and ended up sustaining a major injury to his leg. He was carted off of the field and wasn’t seen for the rest of the game. Prayers and hopes for a speedy recovery go out to him and his family.
However, the Eagles pushed through. Wide receiver Joseph Melonson brought them to 1st and goal. Quarterback Gregory Thompson was stuffed on the next play, taking them to 2nd and 15, where he’d connect with Melonson again on 2nd down for a touchdown.
Now, the Eagles were at the most stressful point of the game. Whatever decision they made, and how they executed it, could decide the game for either team. With about four minutes left, they could opt for the go-ahead 2-point conversion or the extra point, which they had made earlier, but didn’t have much success with throughout the season, to tie the game. Failure of either would put them down 1. This could cause the Eagles to lose the game.
The Eagles took the extra point, but a muffed snap resulted in the kick being blocked. Now, the Eagles were down 14-13 and in need of a stop more than ever. The Eagles kicked off and hoped for the best. The Eagles forced a fumble near midfield, but the Bears recovered it and maintained possession. Fortunately, the Eagles took the Bears to 4th down, and they punted with 1:20 remaining in the game.
The Eagles were pinned deep in their side of the field, being 90+ yards out from their own end zone. They tried to make the game-winning drive, but a failed turnover on downs at 4th and 4 would end the game for the Eagles.
Though it was heartbreaking to see the Eagles lose in such a way in their homecoming game, it is nice to know that they can compete with other teams when necessary. Now, the only game that remains for the Eagles is the annual Battle of the Bridge game against the Upper Merion Area Vikings.
