In a game that started with a spark and ended in a statement, the Beggs Junior High Golden Demons football team overcame an early deficit and roared back to defeat the Morris Eagles 40-16 on Monday night in a heated county rivalry matchup.
With the victory, Beggs (7-0) not only remained undefeated on the season but also completed a sweep of all county opponents, staking their claim as unofficial county champions.
The tone was set immediately when Saxon Arthurs recovered an onside kick for the Golden Demons to start the game. Despite the early momentum, Beggs was stopped on fourth down in the red zone. Morris capitalized with an efficient 78-yard drive capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Tate Butler to Karson Woods. The two-point conversion gave the Eagles an early 8-0 lead.
But that would be the last time Morris held the upper hand.
Beggs responded with 40 unanswered points, beginning with a punishing 9-play, 67-yard drive finished off by Arthurs’ 8-yard touchdown run. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Beggs struck again – this time on a dazzling 38-yard touchdown run by Zane Long, who weaved across the field and gave his team a 12-8 lead.
The game’s turning point came just before halftime. With only three seconds remaining in the second quarter, Arthurs intercepted a Morris pass and refused to go down, breaking seven tackles en route to a stunning pick-six. The 20-8 halftime lead swung all momentum firmly in Beggs’ favor.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted, but our kids responded. It was great to see so many of them step up and make plays when it mattered.” said Beggs head coach David Shannon. “I can’t say enough about the way our skill kids have progressed this season. Coach John Daniels has done a remarkable job of developing our players and it showed tonight.”
Beggs continued its dominance in the second half with a statement drive that saw running back Michael Cruz carry the ball seven times for 61 yards, finishing it off with a 7-yard touchdown.
Cruz, who ended the night with 103 rushing yards, also added the PAT to extend the lead to 33-8 after a 45-yard pick-six by Judah Hughes on the following Morris possession.
As the Golden Demons wore down the Morris defense, Andrew Harvey took over in the backfield, gaining 56 yards on a fourth-quarter drive and capping it with a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 408.
Morris added a late score with 1:44 remaining, when Butler scrambled in for a rushing touchdown and completed the two-point try, but the outcome had long been decided.
The win over Morris completes Beggs’ sweep of its county rivals this season, cementing its place at the top of the local football landscape.
Beggs looked to keep its perfect season alive on the road Monday, Oct. 20, when the Golden Demons traveled to face Keifer.
— Beggs JH 40, Morris JH 16
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final Beggs JH 0 20 13 7 40 Morris JH 8 0 0 8 16
