In the photo, the Big Blue defense led by Jayson Keller #6, Drew Keller #21, Jacob Brill #15, and Bentley Knight #51 upend the Golden Bears’ Lucas McDowell during first period action at Alumni Field Oct. 28. Oak Glen went on to defeat Magnolia 33-18. (Photo by Bruce Crawford)

The Oak Glen Golden Bears might have knocked the Magnolia Blue Eagles out of the West Virginia Class-AA Playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, winning 33-19 on the Blue Eagle Senior Night Oct. 28 at Alumni Field.

The Blue Eagles opened the game with a long Jayson Keller run that put him as the all-time leading rusher in school history. The drive ended 73-yards later, when Tanner Hanna connected with Keller on a 31-yard pass play for paydirt. The PAT kick was off its mark and the Eagles drew first blood at 6-0.

It didn’t take the Golden Bears long to answer the Eagles’ score. Oak Glen quarterback Lucas McDowell single handedly ran the ball down field on their first drive with quarterback draws and capped off their first drive with a one-yard plunge. The Bears’ kick split the up-rights and Oak Glen took over the lead at 7-6 with 4:56 left in the first period of play.

The Eagles’ Kage Rohde returned the ensuing kick to their own 26-yard line and was tackled for a loss of yardage on the first play from scrimmage. Hanna spotted Rogalski open and laid up a pretty over-the-top pass completion down the Eagles’ sideline for a 45-yard pitch and catch.

However, the Golden Bear defense rose up to the challenge and held Magnolia on downs at the Bears’ 30-yard line.

The Blue Eagle defense held Oak Glen to a three and out and forced the visitors to punt, however a bad snap forced the Bear punter to scramble. And before an Eagle defender got close, he kicked one on the run. The kick was low and it was hard to see who touched it first and who indeed recovered the punt. After several minutes of stoppage, the referees came to the conclusion that a Magnolia player touched it first and the Bears recovered it.

The Golden Bears would then pick up a first down, but Rohde sacked the Bears’ quarterback on a fourth situation and Magnolia took over at the 32-yard line.

Oak Glen returned the favor and sacked Hanna on the first play of the Eagle drive. However, on the next play, Hanna tossed one out to Keller, who juked and jived his way for 32-yards. But the Oak Glen defense held and the Eagles’ punter, Bentley Knight, pinned the Bears at their own 15-yard line with 5:33 left in the second period.

On the first play from scrimmage McDowell connected with Jeff Hissam on a 85-yard pass play. Rogalski slipped on the play and it was an easy score for the Bears to go up 14-6 at the break.

The Oak Glen Golden Bear return specialist Jeff Hissam, who had five returns this season for touchdowns, returned the second half kickoff 60 yards, to the Eagles’ 35-yard line. On their first play from scrimmage, McDowell went the distance to put the visitors on top, 20-6.

Later in the period, the Big Blue went on a 17-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a Keller three-yard TD and a Michael Jones PAT kick. The drive was highlighted by several nice plays, that included a Rogalski 12-yard pass reception, Nick Blatt 15-yard catch, a pair of Hanna first down scrambles, and a Drew Keller first down catch. Also, earlier in the drive Rohde took one to the house, but was called back due to a Magnolia infraction.

The Golden Bears came roaring back with a 68-yard drive of their own that was capped off by a 35-yard McDowell touchdown run for a 27-13 lead.

The Eagles weren’t about to pack it in, Hanna hit Rogalski for 13 yards and Hanna scrambled for another 13 yards. Hanna hooked up with Rogalski on a 34-yarder down to the Bears’ 11 yard line when Hanna hit Keller in the end zone for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-19.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Bears’ Hissam returned it 90 yards, putting the dagger in any hopes of a Magnolia comeback.

“We had some special teams breakdowns and that was on me,” said Magnolia Head Coach Mark Batton. “I’ll take the responsibility for that.”

Hanna had 17 yards rushing and was 14-25 for 208-yards, two touchdowns, and was intercepted twice. Keller rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown, while catching six passes for 64 yards and two more TDs. Rogalski ran twice, picking up eight-yards, while hauled in five passes for 109-yards. Blatt hauled in two passes for 23-yards and Drew Keller snagged one for 12-yards.

Magnolia is still mathematically in contention for a playoff spot, but needs to beat the Bearcats Friday night in Grafton and hope for a miracle. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.