From STAFF REPORTS
FORT PAYNE — After several seasons of up-and-down years for the Douglas Eagles, Douglas secured their first playoff berth since 2021 after defeating the Fort Payne Wildcats in an impressive 42-23 victory on Friday night. Led by head coach Brandon Lyles, the playoff appearance will be Lyles’ second in his tenure with the Eagles while this will be only the fourth time in school history that Douglas will be playing in the postseason.
The win over Fort Payne would improve the Eagles win streak to six. Douglas stands at an overall record of 7-1 and 5-1 in region play. Fort Payne would fall to 2-6 overall and 2-4 in region play.
The battle between the Wildcats and the Eagles began with Douglas striking first in the opening quarter with running back Keilan Green running in a long 48-yard touchdown. A good 2-pt conversion by Douglas would put them up 8-0 over the Wildcats.
Fort Payne would answer back with their own scoring drive as Kaiden Adams would run in a 47-yard touchdown to make it a 8-7 score at the end of the first quarter.
To open up the second quarter, Douglas quarterback Baker Lyles would explode for his own scoring run as he would rush in a 41-yard touchdown to put Douglas up 15-7.
Before halftime, Fort Payne would cut into the Douglas lead with a 24-yard field goal by Adrian Vega to make it a 15-10 ballgame at the half.
Douglas would begin to run away with it in the third quarter as the Eagles scored back-to-back unanswered drives on the Wildcats. Lyles would open up the quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 22-10. Green would rush for his second touchdown of the night from 40-yards out to give the Eagles a 29-10 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Fort Payne would start off the fourth quarter with another scoring play with Lane Vinson tossing a 48-yard touchdown to Eli Goggans to cut the Douglas lead to 29-16.
The Eagles would once again respond with a massive scoring run by Judson Murray who ran in a 32-yard touchdown.
Douglas would seal the game with Noah Williamson recovering a fumble and bringing it back for a 55-yard touchdown. The Eagles would seal their playoff berth with the 42-23 victory over Fort Payne.
Douglas would be led by Lyles, Murray and Green. Lyles would finish 5-8 with 63 yards while also rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. Murray would rush 10 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Green would rush five times for 81 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Layton Culbert, Williamson and Jayden Hayden would all produce a sack.
Next week will be a big one for the Eagles as they host the Arab Knights at Arthur Jarvis Stadium for their final Region 8 game of the season. The winner of the matchup will host their first round playoff game. The Eagles have never hosted a playoff game in school history.
Douglas quarterback Baker Lyles (2) fghts for yardage against the Fort Payne defense in first quarter action Friday night. PATRICK GRAHAM The Leader
