David Emanuel Academy’s Senior Night was filled with emotion and drama, but the Eagles ultimately came up just short in a 30-28 loss to the visiting Westwood Wildcats on Friday.
DEA opened the game with an impressive 10-play drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Richard Braddy to sophomore receiver Hudson Starley. Westwood answered quickly on a controversial 69-yard touchdown reception and added a two-point conversion to take an 8-6 lead. The first quarter ended with that same score as both defenses settled in.
In the second quarter, Westwood capitalized on a costly strip sack, returning it for a defensive touchdown to extend the lead to 14-6 heading into halftime.
During the break, DEA honored its senior class: football players Bryan Beasley, Jonah Boatright, Braddy, Brody Fleming, Revan Fortner, John-Nathan Martin, and Sailor Powell; cameraman Cooper Riner; and cheerleaders Mattie Grace Lane and Addalyn Terwilliger.
After halftime, Westwood controlled the tempo, chewing up clock with a 19-play drive that ended in a 19-yard touchdown pass to make it 22-6. DEA responded with a spark from senior standout Sailor Powell, who returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards and then scored on a 31-yard run. Powell added the two-point conversion to trim the deficit to 22-14 late in the third quarter.
Westwood answered once again, driving for another touchdown and successful conversion to go ahead 30-14. But the Eagles refused to fold. After forcing a three-and-out, DEA’s offense found rhythm through the air. Braddy connected with sophomore Ben Griner on a two-yard touchdown, and Fortner added the conversion to pull within 30-22.
With just over three minutes left, DEA’s defense held strong again, forcing a punt. The Eagles marched down the field, and Braddy delivered an acrobatic touchdown pass to Starley as he was falling out of bounds, cutting the lead to two. The Eagles went for the game-tying two-point conversion but were stopped just short of the goal line. Westwood ran out the clock to escape with the 30-28 win.
Powell earned multiple honors on the night, taking home Most Valuable Player, Special Teams Player of the Game, and Practice Player of the Week. Starley was named Offensive Player of the Game, and junior Mason Williams earned Defensive Player of the Game.
The loss dropped DEA to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in region 2 play, while Westwood improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the region.
Head coach TC Guyer praised his team’s effort despite the loss.
“Westwood is a good football team and had a solid game plan coming in,” Guyer said. “We started slow, which you can’t do in this region, but I’m proud of our boys for their fight. They didn’t fold when they easily could have. We catch a few more bounces or lucky breaks, and we’re on the other side of this one.”
DEA will look to rebound on the road next week when they travel to Valdosta to face Georgia Christian (5-2, 4-2) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
