By Kazi Nassif

As the team dispersed from a huddle, the crowd shifted in their seats. There was less than 30 seconds remaining in the highly anticipated rivalry game against J.J. Pearce, and the Richardson Eagles trailed the Pearce Mustangs by 3 points, 50-47.

The ball was snapped to senior Michael Johnson who dropped back, surveyed the field, and lofted the ball to senior Deandra Washington who took it in for a touchdown, giving the Eagles the 53-50 lead as the crowd erupted. With only 23 seconds remaining, Junior Case Ritter followed up the vital touchdown with an extra point to 54-50.

After a late interception, the game ended with a 54-50 Eagle victory. The win gave the team its second consecutive victory against Pearce.

Seniors Khalil Lacy and Washington each had four catches and both eclipsed 80 yards receiving with Washington reaching 166 yards with three touchdowns, including the important score with 23 seconds on the clock.

A noticeable difference in the stat sheet last Friday was the lack of turnovers and improved kicking game.

Junior standout kicker/punter Case Ritter shined Friday night. Whenever Ritter was called upon to make a key play, he delivered, and he played a big part in helping the Eagles edge out the Mustangs. Ritter knocked in six extra points while punting for a total of 146 yards, flipping field position throughout the game.

“I think I helped set the tone of the game with my kickoffs, extra points, and punts,” Ritter said. ”As a kicker, I can always improve, but I would say my performance against Pearce was one of my best yet.”

Ritter said the team has the potential to be great, and can use the confidence from the Pearce game to propel the season.

“This team has the talent to go at least three games deep into the playoffs,” Ritter said. “A lot of people may roll their eyes at that, but it’s true. If we execute and limit turnovers, I am very confident that this team could potentially bring home a district championship.”

While Head Football Coach Brian Chandler was excited at the team’s last minute victory, he was more proud of how the team stayed calm and composed through the roller coaster of the last five minutes of the game.

“I think the players and the coaches stayed calm, it was back and forth all night long, and everyone kept doing there job,” Chandler said. “When you catch the touchdown pass with 23 seconds left, and then get the interception to end it, it brings joy to all the players and coaches. When it was over, it was time to let it loose.”

With the game against North Mesquite coming up, Chandler believes that the Stallions present a different challenge than Pearce.

“They’re more of a power running team as opposed to Pearce who like to throw it around,” Chandler said. “They got a lot of speed, and we’re going to have to make sure that we play a good, physical, hard-nosed football game.”