Eminence 44 Bethlehem 41

Just got back — I’m still drying out, covered in mosquito bites, but none the worse for wear. Still trying to process what went down.

Eminence got off to a fast start, and was able to go into halftime up 30-7 after a pick-6 on a wet ball that bounced off the receiver’s hands.

They led 44-13 with just under 4:00 to play in the 3rd.

The Eagles’ offense, defense and special teams came to life after that, and with 2:54 to play they had come all the way back.

Eminence was able to burn some clock, but fumbled it away on a 4th-and-inches play on a bad handoff exchange, giving Bethlehem the ball back at midfield with 1:19 left.

Three straight Eagle incompletions and a penalty led to a 4th-and-long, which they converted with a diving one-armed catch. Warriors broke up three straight passes to make it 4th/10 from the 22 with 19 sec left. Warriors have it covered, so Bethlehem QB Ryan Mattingly takes off and gets close. Refs bring out the chains and he’s just short, denying one last try for the miracle comeback with 8 seconds left.

Some kind of crazy game that was.