In an MAIS District 6 AA matchup on the campus of Ben’s Ford Christian School, the homestanding Eagles held on for a 25-20 win over Bowling Green Friday night. 

The Eagles (5-3, 1-1) staved off a late push by the Buccaneers (1-7, 0-3) to hold on for the victory in front of a packed house on Friday night. 

Ben’s Ford senior running back Aaron Taylor came into Friday’s game with 888 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. Taylor finished the game with 24 carries for 148 yards to send him over the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season. Taylor, who rushed for 1,051 yards last season, has 1,036 yards this year.

“I knew if we wanted to win the game we had to put everything we had with it being a rivalry game,” Taylor said. “I ran with everything I had. I prayed before the game asking us to win and I could break my record.”

Ben’s Ford head coach Cole Holden praised his senior running back. 

“Aaron played well tonight,” said Holden. “We’re going to get 110 percent from him every night.”

The game’s first four possessions resulted in punts, but the hosts scored on their third series.

With 5:55 left in the first quarter, Ben’s Ford started on Bowling Green’s 45. After a 12-yard completion from Daniel Pittman to Josh Moss, Ben’s Ford was in business at the Buccaneers’ 20.

On first down, Pittman found Josh Crain in the end zone for the touchdown strike. Destin Pittman added the PAT kick, and Ben’s Ford led 7-0 with 3:49 left in the first quarter.

With 9:42 left before halftime, Destin Pittman extended the Eagles lead to 10-0 on a 35-yard field goal. 

Ben’s Ford tacked on another score late in the second quarter. Daniel Pittman teamed up with Moss for a 57-yard scoring pass and a 17-0 lead with 1:12 remaining. 

Cameron Cowart’s 51-yard kick return to the 36 got the visitors in field position just before the break. On the eighth play, quarterback Brady Goings connected with senior wide receiver Connor McCain for a 26-yard score with four seconds showing. The extra point failed and the Eagles were up, 17-6, at the half. McCain finished with six receptions for 101 yards and three touchdowns. 

“We made some big plays early, along with some mistakes,” Holden said. “Every time we made a mistake, they capitalized on it. Hats off to the Buccaneers. They played their butts off.”

After a Bowling Green punt to begin the second half, the Eagles drove 78 yards in nine plays to score, mixing in the run and pass. From the 3, lineman C.J. McClelland recovered Destin Pittman’s fumble in the end zone for the score with 7:07 left in the third quarter. Daniel Pittman found Garrett Pounds in the end zone for the two-point conversion and a 25-6 lead.

Bowling Green blocked a Ben’s Ford punt to allow the visitors to take possession at the Eagles’ 36. Five plays later, Goings found McCain once again in the end zone for another touchdown with 2:51 left in the third quarter. Goings passed to Jace Ball for two points that cut into the Eagles’ lead at 25-14.

Bowling Green forced another punt and had good field position at the Ben’s Ford 45 as the third quarter ended with Ben’s Ford up, 25-14.

Fans were treated to an exciting fourth quarter. 

With 11:04 left in the game, Goings connected with McCain in the end zone despite the efforts of three defenders around him. The 2-point conversion failed, however, and Ben’s Ford led 25-20. 

The Bucs’ offense had one last effort at midfield with 1:06 left in the game. The Eagles’ Garrett Pounds intercepted a Goings pass to seal the win for the Eagles. 

Bowling Green first-year head coach David Currier liked his team’s comeback.

“I am very proud of our guys,” Currier said. “The past three weeks we’ve played some warhorses and were out of the game early. We showed a lot of character tonight. We just need to step up.”

Holden said his team made some mistakes.

“We had a couple of big breakdowns in coverage tonight,” Holden said. “A couple of times they made big plays. We have got to go out and start making some plays ourselves. Overall we played well. The defense just can’t give up the big play. I am just happy to have the win.”

Holden said Destin Pittman cramped up late and couldn’t punt or kick. He has been kicking it well all year.

Offensively, Ben’s Ford rushed 35 times for carries for 140 net yards.  

For Bowling Green, Goings carried 13 times for 9 yards. Grant Alexander had eight carries for 14 yards. Cody Wilhite had eight carries for 11 yards. The Bucs rushed 31 times for 41 yards. 

Pittman completed 7-of-17 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. Goings completed 9-of-25 for 138 yards and three touchdowns. 

Moss tallied four receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. Crain finished with two catches for 59 yards, and Jonathan Turner had one reception for 26 yards.

Bowling Green’s Cameron Cowart finished with two receptions for 30 yards, and Jace Ball had one catch for seven yards. 

The Eagles, who are 5-0 at home, go for an undefeated regular season at home against District 6AA foe Central Private, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Thursday.

Bowling Green has a bye weeks and caps off the regular season Oct. 24 by hosting Central Private.