Last Friday, September 11th, the East Forsyth Eagles fought the Reagan Raiders in a high scoring brawl at Fred Lewis Stadium, Kernersville, N.C. that took a highflying leap into the end zone by Wake Forest’s top running back recruit to reach its late end.
The first half felt like one of those old school dance competitions, each team showing their flair, pointing confidently at their opponent to respond with their best shot. To which they both did, for about 24 minutes.
In a 45 to 35 victory, Wake Forest running back recruit, Christian Beal, with 184 yards on 30 carries and four touchdowns, ended the back and fourth rhythm of tonight’s first half with a strong fourth quarter finish.
Beal owes it all to his blockers.
“The offensive line did better this week for sure,” Beal said. “It was an amazing day.”
The first 6 minutes were sloppy, with low incomplete pass attempts and lazy offensive blocking on both ends.
“I had a heart to heart with my defensive and coaching staff,” said Todd Willert, East Forsyth head coach. “We made some mistakes offensively and defensively; I myself made some bad calls, but that happens in a highly stressful game.”
But after Reagan Senior Jayni Glenn’s 76-yard touchdown run, the first two quarters looked like a Ping-Pong match, with untouchable breakaways on both ends. Glenn broke the ice, appearing out from the back shoulders of East Forsyth’s confused safeties and corners, coming out safe on the other end, slowing his boost of adrenaline and on his way to freedom.
In a Reagan kickoff backed by The White Stripe’s “Seven Nation army,” Beal and the Eagles responded with a crisscrossing run down field, dancing passed tackles, and a showy 50 yard run that led to a sacrificial line jump touchdown.
After Reagan’s 6 minute long 95 yard drive that ended on a Glenn 17 yard run touchdown, The Eagles and Beal marched down field, ending their drive with another 10 yard Beal touchdown to put them up 39-35 with just over 5 minutes remaining.
“I feel like when coach Weller yelled at us we pretty much knew we had to pick it up,” said Beal.
Reagan’s responding drive did not last long. In just 2 plays, Skradski’s spiral fell intercepted in the grasp of freshman Khalid Martin at the Raiders’ 35, who offered his team the cushion they needed to defend their late lead.
Although Martin’s touchdown was called back on penalty, this change of possession was the key play that led to an Eagles victory.
“We were running cover three. Coach told me to play up, so I played up,” said Martin. “And he told me to get physical, so I got physical. As soon as I saw the ball, I jumped the route… And it was home from there!”
After a huge onside kick conversion, future Demon Deacon and star of the game, Christian Beal, decided to finally end the story. In fear of giving the Raiders the ball back with enough time for a quick 2 minute drill, on fourth and goal on the one, Beal squeezed some juice out of his legs, lunging over the exhausted line into the end zone, throwing out the anchor for a victory and a 4 and 0 record halfway through the regular season.
“I hope Wake Forest knows what they’ve got,” said Willert when asked about Beal’s performance. “All of these other schools think he’s too small, but he’s going to be special. I’m glad I’ll get to watch him at Wake.”
Willert felt his team could have played better against a strong Reagan defense, but he is still satisfied with the victory.
“I’m going to wake up tomorrow, drink coffee with my wife and hold my baby,” Willert said when asked of his feelings on the big win against the number 2 team in the area. “I may not even watch any football tomorrow... All right, I’m lying. I’ll watch some football.”
