Lindale Eagles drop first game on the road 

Lindale—The Lindale Eagles suffered their first season loss, as they fell to the Van Vandals 28-23 Friday night in a non-conference game at Van Memorial Stadium.  

The Eagles scored the game's first points when kicker Seth Baggett kicked a field goal to help the team take a 3-0 lead. Van capitalized with a rushing touchdown early in the second quarter to take a 7-3 lead. The Eagles went toe-to-toe with the Vandals, but a couple of rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter would be the difference.  

Lindale's defense had been on a roll, as they had yet to allow an opponent to score more than 27 points in a game. Last week, Lindale held Mount Pleasant to just three points, as they made things difficult for the Tigers. The game prior, they allowed Hallsville to score 27 points.  

Things took a turn this week when the Eagles' defense failed to provide any cushion for their offense. Lindale was up 17-14 at halftime, as they had scored a late passing touchdown in the second quarter. Sophomore Quarterback David Lindig threw a long pass to receiver Chad Ward, as he blew past his defenders for a touchdown. It seemed to be back-and-forth in the second quarter as both teams traded touchdowns.  

Lindale did an excellent job after halftime, as they held the Vandals to a scoreless third quarter. Van, however, got things going in the fourth when they ran for a touchdown to take a 21-17 lead. Four minutes later, the Vandals scored another rushing touchdown, running for 30 yards. 

The Eagles kept things interesting when QB Lindig threw a 10-yard pass to senior receiver Aiden Warnell. The completion allowed Warnell to complete a lateral to Ward, who ran for a 40-yard touchdown. This cut the lead to 28-23 with under a minute to go. The Eagles missed their extra point.  

Lindale came close to recovering an onside kick but just missed as Van ran out the clock. All indications proved that the Eagles recovered the kick, but the referees ruled it Van's ball.  

Before their fourth-quarter touchdown Friday, the Eagles had yet to score any points in the fourth. 

This marks the second year in a row the Eagles fell to the Vandals. Last season, the team lost 42-37 in a game in which a touchdown made all the difference. Lindale and Van were all tied up when Van took a 28-23 lead at the half. Both teams matched each other's points in the second quarter, but Vandal's two touchdowns in the second quarter were the difference, as Lindale settled for three field goals.  

The last time Lindale beat the Vandals was two seasons ago in a game in which the Eagles scored 27 points in the first half. Their dominating first half would be the difference, as they led most of the game.  

Both teams have a mini rivalry going on. Over the last five seasons, the Vandals have beaten Lindale three times. 

Moving Forward 

The Eagles already have a better record through three games last season. The team started off the 2023 season 1-0 before going on a three-game losing streak. They would then go 5-1 to finish the season, as they made it past the first round of the playoffs.  

Lindale can eclipse last year's record, assuming they take care of business. Next week, they play host to Gilmer in their final non-conference game before the start of district play. Gilmer picked up their first win last week as they beat Kilgore 24-22. 

Last season, Lindale fell to Gilmer 59-56 in the highly contested shootout. The Eagles' defense will need to be on its "A" game if they hope to be on the winning side.  

The loss dropped Lindale into a three-way tie with Kilgore, and Henderson for third place in the division. Both Pine Tree and Chapel Hill remain atop the division, as they picked up key wins to stay 3-0.  

Pine Tree defeated Dallas Carter 21-7 to remain undefeated. A week ago, they beat Van, a team the Eagles struggled to contain.  

On the other hand, Chapel Hill beat Whitehouse 21-19 in the highly contested matchup. They play Lindale in two weeks, which will be both team's first division game.  

As for the two teams tied with Lindale, Kilgore suffered their first loss to Gilmore by two points. This dropped the team to 2-1, as they now sit tied with the Eagles. Henderson on the other hand is coming off a dominating 42-7 victory over Jacksonville.  

Lindale will have their work cut out for them this year, as their division seems highly contested. The Eagles have one more non-conference game before they start district play.