Eagles Extend Win Streak to 29 Games

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 2, 2018

photos: Steve Thomas

Allen Survives and Advances Against The Woodlands

The Allen Eagles have established themselves as football juggernaut. In the past decade, the Eagles have won five state championships and have a combined record of 152-8. Including last year’s UIL 6A Division 1 State Championship win over Austin Lake Travis, the Eagles entered Saturday afternoon’s playoff game at McLane Stadium on a 28-game winning streak. The Eagles’ most-recent win came in a 52-40 decision over Rockwall last week in the area round. This year’s team included another loaded roster including star wideout and Oklahoma commit Theo Wease.

Facing the Eagles was the last team to beat them, The Woodlands Highlanders. The Highlanders defeated Allen in the 2016 6A Division 1 semifinals at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. This year, the Highlanders entered the game at 9-3 overall. Last week, The Woodlands advanced to the regional semifinals with a 53-50 win over Round Rock Cedar Ridge. Despite a slow start and some late drama, the Eagles moved one step closer to a sixth state championship with a 31-24 win.

Early in the game, neither offense was able to generate much in terms of points or yards. Allen kicker James Griffith scored the lone points of the first quarter with a 35-yard field goal. Late in the first quarter, the Highlanders found their rhythm and drove all the way to the Allen seven-yard line. Offensive lineman McKade Mettauer averted disaster for the Highlanders when he recovered running back Breyton Gilford’s fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Allen running back Celdon Manning responded with a three-yard touchdown rush to put the Eagles back in front 10-7. The Eagles’ defense forced a punt on the next drive; but Highlander defensive back Ben Langston ended the Eagles’ drive with an interception. Kicker Fabrizio Pinton then netted a 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10. Just before halftime, quarterback Grant Tisdale put the Eagles back in front with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green.

In the second half, Celdon Manning broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run to extend the Allen lead to24-10. Breyton Gilford found the end zone again on a five-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 24-17. The Highlander defense then came up with a big stop when defensive back Kennedy Stewart blocked a field goal attempt. The Eagles got a stop of their own, however, when defensive back KJ Willie ended the Woodlands’ drive with an interception. Following the turnover, receiver Grant Robinson extended the Allen lead to 31-17 with a two-yard touchdown run. Despite the setback, The Woodlands refused to go away quietly. Receiver Malik Johnson broke free for a 50-yard run which set up a two-yard touchdown run by Gilford to narrow the gap to 31-24. After a holding penalty wiped off Tisdale’s 54-yard touchdown keeper on the ensuing drive, the Highlanders forced the Eagles to punt. Unfortunately for the Highlanders, they could not capitalize on the stop. With 2:39 left in the game, Malik Johnson dropped a sure catch on fourth-and-six giving the ball back to Allen. The Eagles then ran out the clock to seal the win.

With the win, Allen improves to 13-0 on the season. As mentioned previously, the Eagles are now on a 29-game winning streak dating back to 2016. The Eagles will face the Waco Hewitt Midway panthers, who are also 13-0, next Saturday at 2:00pm CST at McLane Stadium. The Panthers advanced after edging Klein Oak 28-27. The Woodlands, meanwhile, finishes the season at 9-4.

by Steve Thomas