Eagles Fall In Close 13-12 Game vs. Brewton Parker

WALESKA, Ga. - Reinhardt appeared on its way to a home win Friday before Brewton Parker scored with 30 seconds remaining with a successful conversion, sending the Eagles and Barons to a 12-13 score in flag football.

The decisive late swing came on Sophia Souza's 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, followed by the go-ahead PAT. That answer erased a Reinhardt lead that had stood since the third quarter, when Alexus Wilson capped an Eagles scoring drive to put the home team in front, 12-6.

Reinhardt's offense ran through Wilson, who completed 30 of 42 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles finished with 259 total yards, 11 first downs and more than 30 minutes of possession. Wilson's first scoring strike came in the second quarter, when she connected with Bleu A. McFarland on a 12-yard touchdown pass at the 11:23 mark for a 6-0 lead after the PAT failed.

Brewton Parker answered quickly behind Keshauna Gusby, who broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run later in the second quarter to tie the game at 6. Gusby was the game's most dangerous runner, finishing with 240 yards on 21 carries as Brewton Parker piled up 249 rushing yards. The Barons generated only 22 passing yards, but their ground game repeatedly flipped field position and kept the pressure on Reinhardt's defense.

Turnovers also shaped the afternoon. Blye Townsell came up with a first-quarter interception for Reinhardt, returning it 9 yards to the Brewton Parker 22 to stop a promising drive. Brewton Parker answered with a takeaway of its own when Kennedy Osborn intercepted Wilson in the second quarter and returned it 11 yards. Despite the miscues, Reinhardt continued to move the ball through the air, with Townsell catching seven passes for 54 yards and McFarland adding six receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles reclaimed control in the third quarter when Wilson finished a touchdown drive at the 4:36 mark, again with the PAT coming up short for a 12-6 advantage. That kept the door open into the final minute, and Brewton Parker took advantage when Souza punched in the tying score with 30 seconds left, leaving the teams at 12-13 by the final whistle.