1. Heads Up, Tigers.

This was probably the most competitive game that Alcovy has given Eastside since 2013, which was the last time the Tigers got the best of the Eagles. The game was actually dead even through three quarters at 21 points a piece before Eastside exploded with three scores in three minutes, two of which came from special teams miscues on the part of Alcovy. Despite the loss, the 28 points the Tigers did score was the most that Alcovy has ever scored on Eastside since their first meeting in 2006. If you take away those two special teams touchdowns from the Eagles, the game could have potentially gone down to the wire. Even though they didn’t win, the Tigers boasted a performance that they could keep their heads held high on and build off of for when these two teams meet next season. 

2. What a wild football game. 

Lead changes, special teams touchdowns, big plays, momentum shifts, this game had it all. After the Tigers went up 14-0 early on, this looked like it could be the night for them. But a few miscues led to Eastside making the score even before halftime. After trading scores in the third, Eastside quickly mounted a comeback to the tune of three touchdowns in three minutes that proved to be too much for the Tigers. Both sides also saw their share of momentum changing plays that left many fans questioning who would leave the victor as late as three quarters.

3. Eastside. Special. Teams. 

A blocked punt that led to a game-tying touchdown before halftime started it. Then, just seconds into the fourth quarter it was a muffed punt from Alcovy that was returned by Sambo Button to put the Eagles up 28-21. Less than a minute after that, a blocked punt from Giovanni Macek gave the Eagles another score to go up 35-21. Just seconds after that, following a pick from Devin Brown, Reid scored his third and final touchdown of the night. Three touchdowns in just three minutes was more than enough to lift the Eagles past the Tigers in a big way. The fourth quarter was a less than gentle reminder that special teams is so important and can be a quick momentum changer for any team.

4. Welcome back Terrence Reid. 

Although two touchdowns and several big plays came from the work of the defense and special teams, the game saw Reid score three rushing touchdowns for Eastside in what was a monumental performance for the big man toting the rock. After nursing a knee that had surgery on it throughout the summer, Reid is looking more and more like the running back he was a season ago. Hoff noted that he’s not quite there yet, but he is showing flashes of being the running back that is hard to bring down and scoring three touchdowns against your county rival is a big step in the right direction. 

5. MJ Stroud is looking more like a quarterback each week. 

Aside from three interceptions that he threw in pressure situations, Stroud looks to be taking strides each week as a quarterback and an athlete. Three of Alcovy’s four touchdowns came from him and he looked not only better as a runner, but as a thrower as well when he had time in the pocket. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop as Alcovy inches closer to their region games.