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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jacob Alexander runs through Knights defenders Friday, Nov. 7 against Eagle Mountain. Alexander was effective in the receiving game marching the Steers down field and pushing through defenders. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Steers celebrate with Colt Taylor, 25, after he punched in the go ahead touchdown Friday, Nov. 7 against Eagle Mountain. The Steers went on to beat the Knights 20-18. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jace Gill drops back to pass Friday, Nov. 7 against Eagle Mountain. Gill led a game winning drive in the fourth quarter to help the Steers pick up the victory. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jordan Alexander tracks an Eagle Mountain receiver Friday, Nov. 7. Alexander started the game with a pick six down the right sideline to set the tone defensively.
The Graham Steers ended their regular season on a high note with a victory over the Eagle Mountain Knights in a night to remember.
This game took place Friday, Nov. 7, and was meaningful to the community of Graham for more reasons than one.
This game was the first “Heart of Graham” game where the community came out in support of Coach John Tuggle and his family, whose wife passed away this year.
This game was also senior night for the football team but also for the cheerleaders, Bella Blues, athletic trainers, band, Blue Crew, tennis, cross country and golf.
This game started off as a heavy defensive effort for the Steers. Jordan Alexander picked off a pass down the right sideline and took it all the way to the house for a pick six to put the Steers up 7-0.
However, Eagle Mountain countered on their next drive with a score to tie it and later took the lead 10-7 on a field goal going into halftime.
This was a little victory for Graham’s defense once again though as they stuffed Eagle Mountain’s run game on a goal line stand to prevent a touchdown.
In the third quarter, the Steers started to march down the field offensively with a catch from Braxton Braim and the run game, powering to the goal line.
Eventually, Dylan Cox punched it into the endzone to put the Steers up 14-10. Eagle Mountain countered with another touchdown though to go up 16-14 going into the final quarter of regular season play.
This is where things got wild. The Steers still trailed 16-14 with 4:51 left but orchestrated a brilliant final drive. Jace Gill found receivers Brodie Martin and Braim while Gill also used his legs in the run game to matriculate the team down the field.
Colt Taylor capped it off with a rushing touchdown to help the team go up 20-16.
However, the Steers decided to go for a two point conversion on a passing play which was picked off and returned the other way to the endzone by Eagle Mountain for a pick two to make the score 20-18.
The Steers defense and special teams held strong though and came out with the victory.
“What a night for Graham football. That kind of sums us up,” head coach Clay McChristian said. “You draw strength from each other. Keep drawing that strength. Enjoy this win, because that is Graham Steers football.”
With the regular season wrapped up, the team turns their focus to the postseason. The Steers will take on Godley in the bi-district round of playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 at Aledo High School.
