In a game that was televised across the region, the Allen Eagle football team began its playoff journey with a thrilling home victory over the Euless Trinity Trojans, winning by a score of 34 to 25.

The Eagles were lead by a tough performance from senior quarterback Mitchell Jonke, who only had 99 passing yards and one touchdown but drove the offense down the field for key scores in the fourth quarter. His main target on the night was senior receiver Tevyn Stevenson, who accounted for 34 yards and one touchdown on four receptions. Running back Brock Sturges had a huge night on the ground, accounting for 127 rushing yards and one touchdown.

“We just came together as a brotherhood,” Stevenson said about being down in the fourth quarter. “We knew what we had to do, and we got it done.”

The Eagle defense did not play to the same level as it did during the regular season, but it did hold the Trojans to just 45 yards through the air. The Eagles dominant pass defense was countered by a leaky run defense, as the Eagles gave up 312 rushing yards at 5.7 yards per carry. In addition, the defense did not force any turnovers on the night.

“We try to handle adversity as best as we can,” junior defensive back Alex Schneider said. “We always go over that we’re going to face it during the season. Tonight was one of those games. We just had to face it and keep going strong.”

Special teams played a huge role in the victory, with junior Taj Bickham returning the opening second half kickoff for a 92-yard touchdown. Kickers Michael Ewton and Mark Richardson pinned the Trojans inside their own 10-yard line four different times, and Ewton also made all of his PATs on the night in addition to a 26-yard field goal.

“[The playoffs are] a six-week fight,” special teams coordinator J.D. Walker said. “We’ll just take it one game at a time, and hopefully we’re still standing after six weeks.”

Next week the Eagles will take on Benton High School at Mesquite Memorial Stadium in round two of the Texas UIL 6A Division 1 playoffs. Kickoff will be at 7:30, and you can follow along with all the action here at The Eagle Angle.