In a remarkable display of skill, Decatur wide receiver Cayden Forrest racked up an impressive 104 yards and secured two touchdowns with 10 catches, contributing significantly to the Eagles’ commanding 44-7 victory over Carrollton Ranchview in the 4A Division I bi-district playoff held Friday at Eagle Mountain High School’s Knight Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
A slow start by the Eagles did not deter their pursuit of a coveted third bi-district playoff trophy under the leadership of head coach Steve Huff. The determination displayed by the Eagles was palpable, as they powered through the first round of playoffs.
Decatur showcased a formidable offensive performance, culminating in a staggering total of 499 yards, while their defense executed a near-perfect strategy that effectively quashed Carrollton Ranchview’s running game, limiting them to a mere 3 net yards in the dominant 44-7 win Friday evening.
“It was nice to not have to drive three hours for the first round game this year,” Huff remarked, acknowledging the logistical advantage. “Our opponent’s size and speed is challenging to replicate in practice. Early on, it took a little while for us to get adjusted… But overall, I felt we moved the ball well throughout the night. The defense was relentless in pursuing the ball, a testament to Coach [Kyle] King’s effective rotations that kept our players fresh. That consistent pressure really made a significant difference.”
Decatur, now boasting a record of 7-4, will move on to the area round where they are set to clash with the Aubrey Eagles. Details regarding the upcoming game have yet to be announced.
The Chaparrals, sharing the same record, also emerged victorious in their bi-district encounter against Dallas Kimball, narrowly edging them out 35-33 on Thursday.
“We don’t have much information about [Aubrey], but a couple of our coaches took the initiative to watch them play against Kimball,” Huff stated. “Moving forward, it’s all about intensifying our video analysis. Our main focus next week is improvement. It’s crucial that we continue to get better at this pivotal point in the season. We’ve encountered some challenges with the flu, which caused a few kids to miss practice, but I’m optimistic that a restful weekend will have us ready to tackle Monday’s preparations.”
Decatur quarterback Jed Ross demonstrated exceptional performance, throwing for 282 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ impressive 44-7 victory in the 4A Division I first-round playoffs on Friday at Eagle Mountain’s Knight Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Decatur rapidly established a 14-7 lead in the initial quarter, thanks to impactful touchdown runs from running backs Jake Milligan and Jamari Fletcher, who notched 4 and 48 yards, respectively.
With starting running back Abram Graham sidelined due to injury, Milligan and Fletcher collectively amassed 168 yards of Decatur’s 217 rushing yards. Fletcher also contributed with 52 receiving yards on five catches, proving his versatility and importance to the team.
“I just got my cast off after five or six months of waiting,” Fletcher expressed, reflecting on his recovery from a fractured scaphoid he sustained in his freshman year. “I’m thrilled to showcase my skills, and I owe a lot to the coaching staff for their guidance. Coach [Daniel] Palmer consistently believes our running backs are the best in the state in terms of skill. Our strong run game not only elevates our offense but seamlessly supports our passing game.”
Late in the second quarter, quarterback Jed Ross delivered an 8-yard touchdown pass to the reliable wide receiver Cayden Forrest. The Eagles extended their lead with a 32-yard field goal from kicker Edwin Aldape just as the first half concluded, entering the locker room with a 23-7 advantage.
Ross, completing 28 of 37 attempts, threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, successfully connecting with seven different receivers, showcasing the versatility and depth of the Eagles’ offense.
“It’s always great to get that first playoff win,” Ross stated confidently. “Undoubtedly, our mission isn’t complete yet, and we need to maintain our efforts… My receivers excelled at making critical catches and turning them into valuable yardage. Our ability to diversify and consistently advance the ball makes us a difficult offense to contain.”
The dynamic Decatur running back Jamari Fletcher accumulated an impressive total of 117 offensive yards (65 rushing, 52 receiving) and reached the end zone twice during the Eagles’ 44-7 bi-district victory over Carrollton Ranchview Friday at Eagle Mountain’s Knight Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
After a scoreless third quarter, the Eagles erupted for three touchdowns in the final period. Ross connected for two touchdown passes, one to Forrest and another to wide receiver Andrew Ramirez, while Fletcher charged into the end zone for his second touchdown from 3 yards out.
Forrest emerged as Decatur’s primary receiving threat, leading the team with 106 receiving yards on 10 catches.
”It’s all about practice during the week,” Forrest stated regarding their synergy. “Jed and I dedicate extra time between practices to strengthen our connection. This extra commitment fosters a robust bond between us. Having Chase [Berg] on the field enhances our overall performance as well.”
Decatur’s defense demonstrated unwavering resilience late in the game, with defensive back Jayce Watson intercepting two passes from Carrollton Ranchview quarterbacks Rushii Allada and Steven Pulley during the Wolves’ final offensive series, effectively sealing their fate.
Decatur’s Boden Portales (44), Keygan Hachtel (55), and Michael Trammell (33) diligently pursued Carrollton Ranchview running back Ikililu Balogun during a crucial play in the Eagles’ impressive 44-7 bi-district playoff victory Friday night at Eagle Mountain High School’s Knight Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
“On defense, we held strong and executed some critical stops,” Watson reflected on his contributions. “I caught those interceptions, but I wasn’t focused on anything other than improving our field position for the team.”
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For Carrollton Ranchview, quarterback Allada completed 15 of his 33 passing attempts for 171 yards, but unfortunately, he threw two interceptions. His counterpart, Pulley, completed 1 out of 2 passes for 50 yards, also throwing one interception. The Wolves’ rushing efforts were led by running back Jason Samuel, who gained 59 yards on 10 carries. Additionally, wide receiver Terry Shelton had a standout performance, reeling in five passes for 75 yards.
How do you plan to address the health concerns among your players while preparing for the next round?
**Interview with Decatur Eagles Head Coach Steve Huff after the 44-7 Playoff Victory**
*Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Coach Huff. What are your immediate thoughts after your team’s impressive performance against Carrollton Ranchview?*
**Coach Huff:** Thank you for having me. I’m really proud of how the guys came out tonight. We had a slow start, but we managed to adjust and execute our game plan effectively. The energy and determination the boys displayed were phenomenal.
*Interviewer: Cayden Forrest had a standout game with two touchdowns and over 100 receiving yards. How would you assess his performance?*
**Coach Huff:** Cayden has been a key player for us all season, and tonight he really showed up when we needed him. His ability to make critical catches and find the end zone made a huge difference in the game. It’s great to see him continue to develop and contribute like this.
*Interviewer: The Eagles accumulated a staggering 499 total yards and demonstrated great defensive prowess. What do you think contributed to such a dominant performance?*
**Coach Huff:** It really starts with relentless effort—our defenders were all over the ball. Coach [Kyle] King’s rotations kept our players fresh, which allowed us to apply constant pressure. Offensively, we found a good rhythm as the game progressed, especially in the second half where we really took control.
*Interviewer: You’ll be facing Aubrey in the next round. How do you prepare for a team you may not have extensive tape on?*
**Coach Huff:** It’s definitely going to be a challenge since we don’t have a solid game plan on them just yet. However, a couple of our coaches went to scout their recent game, which is a good start. Moving forward, we’ll focus heavily on video analysis to get a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Our main priority is to keep improving as a team, especially as we enter this crucial part of the season.
*Interviewer: You mentioned some challenges with flu affecting practice attendance. How do you plan to ensure your players are ready for the game this week?*
**Coach Huff:** It’s certainly been a concern, but I’m optimistic that a restful weekend should help our players recuperate. We’ll make sure practices are productive next week while also being mindful of our players’ health. Our goal is to be as prepared as possible without overexerting ourselves.
*Interviewer: Any final thoughts as your team looks to continue their playoff journey?*
**Coach Huff:** Just that I’m incredibly proud of this group. They’ve worked hard all season and have overcome a lot of adversity. We need to keep our focus and intensity high moving forward. The playoff experience is invaluable, and I believe we have what it takes to make a deep run.
*Interviewer: Thank you, Coach Huff, for your time and insights. Best of luck in the upcoming game against Aubrey!*
**Coach Huff:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.