Douglas moves on to second round with comback 33-27 victory over Mortimer Jordan
By DRUW GIAMALVA, Sports Editor
DOUGLAS — The historic 2026 season for the Douglas Eagles continued on Friday night at Arthur Jarvis Stadium as the Eagles advanced to the second round of the Class 5A Playoffs with a comeback 33-27 victory over the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils. The win over the Blue Devils gave Douglas their first-ever playoff victory in 57 years as a football program.
“This means everything to me, these players, these coaches and to this community,” said Douglas head coach Brandon Lyles. “This was the first time we’ve ever hosted and I’ve said it all night long that God is good. He is the reason we’re in this position in the first place and he’s the reason why our guys kept fighting. They believed for four quarters and we fought for four quarters.”
Douglas captured a school-record 10th victory after defeating the Blue Devils which surpassed the 1982 team that finished 9-1. This was Douglas’ first playoff victory in four postseason appearances.
“I just couldn’t ask for anything better,” Lyles said. “There is no quit in this team and we’ve learned lessons throughout this season. We just kept playing and we kept fighting but hats off to Mortimer Jordan. They didn’t deserve to lose either and they’re a really good football team.”
The battle between the Eagles and the Blue Devils started off slow as both team’s first possessions would end in punts.
Mortimer Jordan would be first to strike after a scoreless first quarter as quarterback Blaze Neely would rush in a 5-yard touchdown to give the Blue Devils an early 7-0 lead.
With 2:33 remaining in the first half, the Eagles would respond with their own scoring drive as quarterback Baker Lyles would find Noah Williamson for a 34-yard touchdown. The PAT would be blocked and Mortimer Jordan would take a 7-6 lead into intermission.
To open up the second half, Mortimer Jordan would start with the football. The Blue Devils would extend their lead to 14-6 with another touchdown run by Neely from 2-yards out.
Douglas’ first possession of the first half would start with first down runs by running backs Judson Murray and Keilan Green. The trio of Lyles, Green and Murray would take the Eagles down the field which would cap off with an 11-yard rushing touchdown by Lyles. The 2-pt run attempt by Douglas would fall short and the Blue Devils would remain in front 14-12.
Mortimer Jordan would continue to answer back at Douglas as wide receiver Zavier Burrow would rush in a 33-yard score to put up the Blue Devils by two possessions at the end of the third quarter.
To start the fourth quarter, the Eagles would cut down the Mortimer Jordan lead to 21-20 thanks to a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Green. The 2-pt conversion pass by Lyles to Williamson would be good.
On the very first play of the Blue Devils next drive, Neely would keep his big night going as he would rush for a 62-yard rushing touchdown. The Blue Devil’s PAT would be no good and they would lead 27-20.
On Douglas’ next drive, the Eagles would tie the ballgame up with Lyles finding Murray for a long 51-yard passing touchdown to make it a 27-27 tie.
After forcing a punt on Mortimer Jordan, the Eagles would take their first lead of the ballgame as Lyles would once again find Williamson for a 12-yard score with 23 seconds remaining on the clock. The PAT would be no good which would give Douglas a 33-27 lead.
With four seconds remaining, Mortimer Jordan would take one final shot at a Hail Mary but it would fall short. Douglas would go on to win their first-ever playoff game 33-27.
The Eagles will face their biggest test of the season next week as they travel to take on Clay-Chalkville.
Douglas quarterback Baker Lyles rushes for a first down during Friday’s first round win over Mortimer Jordan. DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader
