Entertainment, finally lights and then football action as Rusk edges Brownsboro

Entertainment, finally lights and then football action as Rusk edges Brownsboro

Published 1:11 am Saturday, October 18, 2025

RUSK —  I guess there could be stranger happenings at a Friday night football game, but try this one on for size. During pregame, part of the stadium lights went out. After about 45 minutes of trying to fix the breaker box, the band directors got together and we were entertained by both schools with a halftime performance.

While the electricians continued to work on the light problems, the Brownsboro Military Marching Band performed the routine which they will perform in Longview Saturday afternoon. Great job as usual.

Then the Golden Girls did an excellent routine, which really fired up the crowd. Before the drill team started their program, one of the girls was carted off the field with an injury, on a stretcher. We sure hope she is okay.

The Rusk drill team and twirlers entertained the fans with superb performances. The Rusk Band then performed their contest routine, also. Good job by the Red and Black. Many members of all the Rusk performers wore pink to make everyone to be aware of cancer awareness month. Great job by both schools. This halftime show ended about 8:50 p.m., and the lights were still not fixed. Lights came on about 9 p.m., so let’s warmup and play.

The Brownsboro Bears and Rusk Eagles both needed a first district victory to continue a quest for the playoffs. In a hard-fought battle, the Eagles came out on top 28-21 on Jim Swink Field.

Head Bear Coach Lance Connot stated,

”Our kids hung on and made a real comeback,” Bear Coach Lance Connot said. “Rusk ran an offense they hadn’t showed all year. It took us awhile to get adjusted, but our kids never gave up. They work so hard, I just wish something good would happen for them.”

I would like to extend a thank you to Brenda Tilley for taking care of me at the pay window, since I forgot my credentials. With her being a former Rusk athlete, she understood.

Outstanding play was abundant from both squads. The Bears’ Wyatt Daniels, Jack Anderson, Nick Byrd, Gabe Hendricks, Curtis Warren, Devon Spencer, Tucker Anderson, and Lane Irwin were all standouts. The Eagles’ Trenton Pepin, Damian Reggie, Ayden Bradley, Zaccius Frances, Adrian Tumblin, Kiceriun Teague, Clifton Hunt, Maliki Overstreet, and Drew Lane played well. They must have been listening to the cheerleaders who were standouts, also.

The first half, when it finally started was the Eagles coming out in a new offense. With new quarterback Overstreet running for a 34-yard touchdown, and Carlos Galan converting the extra point. The Eagles led 7-0.

The Bears had a drive going when Tumblin intercepted deep in Eagle territory. After a short punt, the Eagles scored on a six-yard run by Hunt. Galan kicked the extra point and increased the lead to 14-0.

Brownsboro took it inside the Rusk five-yard line, only to be stymied on fourth down. Just before halftime, the Eagles scored one more touchdown. Teague ran it in from 42 yards out. Galan made his third straight extra point and the Eagles led 21-0. Lane also intercepted a pass on the last play of the half for the Eagles.

The second half seemed to start off like the first, with the Eagles driving into the Bear red zone, only to be stopped by Brownsboro on downs.

Warren broke off a long run to set up the Bears deep in Eagle territory. Irwin ran in the final seven yards for the touchdown. Conner Lightfoot’s extra point closed the gap to 21-7.

This seemed to wake up the Eagles and they marched right down the field to score one more touchdown a 38-yard touchdown pass from Overstreet to Jayden Burton. Galan kicked the point after and Rusk led 28-7.

Brownsboro came right back behind Warren and Irwin and scored again. Aiden Mitchem scored on a three-yard run. Lightfoot’s kick brought the score to 28-14, Rusk.

The Bears took it again after Hendricks recovered the onside kick. Jack Anderson faked the “Tush Push”, and ran 28 yards for another Brownsboro touchdown. Lightfoot’s kick tightened the score to 28-21. The Eagles Pepin intercepted to thwart the last ditch effort of the Bears.

The Bears will host Center in the third district contest. The Eagles will travel to Athens Friday to play the Hornets.

Fans, don’t let your teams down, and be there early next Friday, to cheer on the youngsters that represent your respective schools. Nothing like Friday Night in Texas.