Last Friday night, what looked to be a close game against Woodstock, turned into a victory for Etowah, 49-38.

“It is one of my favorite games, the atmosphere is always unlike any other game of the year, and no matter the record of either team, the game is always competitive,” Vincent Riley, senior running back, said.

The Eagles had a rough start in the start as Woodstock gained not only a touchdown but the extra point.

The Eagles gained hope when Riley rushed on second down and 2 yards for a first down.

Even though Etowah’s hopes were filled, Woodstock came out strong at the end of the first quarter with a 10 point lead

Woodstock blocked Etowah’s punt in the second quarter on Etowah’s 27-yard line.

On Woodstock’s first down, Etowah linebacker Collin Mitchell broke up the pass causing an incomplete. Woodstock was given a penalty of 5 yards for a false start on their second down. With Woodstock at third down and 15 yards they complete a screen pass but were stopped short of the first down. Woodstock’s deep pass on the fourth down was incomplete.

Etowah running back Tyray Devezin ran 60 yards to complete the Eagle’s second touchdown and second chance with only three minutes in the second quarter.

At the end of the first half, defensive end Brandon Reibly recovered Woodstock’s fumble for a touchdown with only 55 seconds until the half, 21-17.

”This year we came out slow, but once we started rolling we started putting points on the board. The offensive line did a great job and the team as a whole really came together and stepped up. It was a great game,” Riley said.

Starting the second half with 11:13 on the clock Etowah’s defensive pressure causes Woodstock’s quarterback to scramble back to line.

The clock hit 5:56 in the third quarter when Eagles running back Quorealus Smith ran a 58-yard touchdown bringing the Eagles to an 11-point lead.

On Woodstock’s next possession, EHS gained points from a pass to Woodstock’s wide receiver Nick Cuthbert, but did not complete the 2 point conversion with five minutes left in the third.

Two minutes left in the third, Woodstock had possession of the ball second down and 18 yards. Eagles’ defensive lineman Tykee Atkins broke through Woodstock’s offensive line and sacked Woodstock’s quarterback and causing him to be carried off the field with injuries.

Woodstock stayed on Etowah’s tail at 35-30 by a pass touchdown to Woodstock’s wide receiver Cuthbert.

Senior running back and cornerback Trey Moore raised the bar on the Wolverines by scoring bringing the score to 42-30, and also setting up another touchdown for the Eagles, 49-30.

With two minutes left on the clock, seconds of hope were ticking away for Etowah’s rival Woodstock as the team scored its final touchdown with a final 49-38

The buzzer went off ending the game and clouds of yellow filled the air in celebration.

“It is always a big win when we beat our neighbor,” Principal Keith Ball said. ”It was a great game.”