By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
TYLERTOWN – In the preseason, Center Point head coach George Bates said that the Eagles were “still going to win, but it will look a little different.” Friday night, the Eagles made the long trip to Mississippi to take on the Tylertown Chiefs and used the run game to get a ten-point win on the road in their season opener.
Tylertown struck first, putting up 6 points in the first quarter on the Eagles while Center Point did not score. The Eagles’ offense was able to find some ground in the second, scoring their first touchdown of the game. However, Tylertown would put up 6 more to go into the locker room for halftime with a 12-8 lead over the Eagles.
Center Point would regroup in the locker room and continue the momentum from the second quarter. The Eagles would double up the Chiefs, putting up 12 points to Tylertown’s six and take a 20-18 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Eagles would blank Tylertown in the final frame and put up another 8 points to end the game with a ten-point win to start their 2023 season at 1-0.
Center Point would use the ground game to pick up the big win, running it for 287 yards as a team, to only 13 yards in the air. Deon Moore, the Eagles’ quarterback, would lead the charge with 90 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Julius Finnerson would add 85 yards of his own on 14 carries. Kevin Moore and Antonio Garfield would add a touchdown each for the Eagles to lead the way.
The Center Point defense allowed 144 yards through the air, but held the Chiefs to -29 yards of total offense in the contest. They also took the ball from the Chiefs twice with Deon Moore and Jaquoryae Busby each picking off the Tylertown quarterback, Keonnis Davis.
Regarding the game, Coach Bates said, “It was the first game with first game jitters and mistakes. I am proud of the team for making plays in the second half to get the win. This week we are looking forward to cleaning up some things by honing in on our responsibilities and assignments.”
The Eagles will be on the road again Friday night as they take on Aliceville, who lost their season opener 8-6 to Pickens County.