David Emanuel Academy kicked off its ’21 football season on Friday night at home in Stillmore at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Just a few hours later, the Eagles had their first win under their belt, 34-16.
Timothy Braddock got the offensive effort underway with a 3-yard run to make it a quick 6-0. The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, and the score would hold there until Brayden Smith hauled in a 14-yard reception from Randon Williams, upping the Wildcats 12-0.
The story repeated thereafter; the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, and the score wouldn’t move until a few drives later. Clayton Hood turned on the burners for a 42-yard run to make the score 18-0. Braddock then followed with an on-foot 2-point conversion to make the score 20-0.
The Wildcats would finally get on the board after that to make the score 20-8, but David Emanuel struck right back as Jesse Moore completed a 40-yard run of his own to bring the scoreboard to 26 – DEA, 8 – Crisp. The Eagle coaching staff looked to Hood once again for the 2-point conversion, and he ran it into the end zone successfully to make the score 28-8.
DEA made its last touchdown of the night as Moore literally led the way with a 65-yard run to make the score 34-8. The Eagles would fail their third 2-point conversion of the game after that and Crisp would score once more before the buzzer sounded, but none of that mattered in the end as the home team had done enough damage to send the Wildcats back to Cordele with their tails tucked.
The scoring records also indicate Billy Martin had an interception.
The season opener also served as Senior Night. Those recognized were: Sarah Jo Perkins, Moya Wiggins, Alana Tant, Grace Catherine Hood, Rylie Rowland, Kaden Lynch, Math McCullough, Braddock, and Smith.
David Emanuel’s next game will be Thursday, September 12 at People’s Baptist Academy in McDonough. Kickoff is set for 7:30.