FAIRFIELD EAGLES SOPHOMORE running back Anthony Price crosses the goal line on a 2-point conversion. Though they came up a field goal short, the Fairfield high school varsity Eagles football team played its best game of the season Friday night in the District 20-AAA opener with the Palestine Wildcats.

Fairfield overcame a 15- point deficit at the half and led twice before a field goal in the final seconds sealed their fate at 35-38.

And, the Eagles continued playing when they received the ensuing kickoff with one second left on the clock. Players lateraled the football a half dozen times on the runback in an attempt to reach the opposite end zone after the final buzzer sounded.

In the other 20-AAA openers, Brownsboro beat Palestine Westwood 42-14 and Crockett beat Athens 21-12.

"Offensively, except for a couple of picks, we played pretty good," FHS head coach Darrell Piske says. "It still comes down to executing the offense in crunch time."

With less than three minutes to go in the contest, the Eagles coughed up the football in Palestine territory, setting up a Wildcats' drive for the winning field goal.

"You need to drive down and make sure you're the one to make the field goal at the end," Piske says.

The Eagles looked shaky at the outset when they gave up a touchdown on the Wildcats opening drive of 64 yards. Quarterback Olin Terry scored from 21 yards out and the extra point kick made it 0-7 just three minutes into the game.

On their first possession, the FHS squad was unable to move the football and set up to punt on fourth down. The punt by Justin Terry was blocked, giving the Wildcats possession on the Fairfield 13 and setting up quick score.

Palestine back Terrance Simon scored from seven yards out and the extra point gave the Wildcats a 2- touchdown lead midway through the opening period.

The Wildcats missed a field goal late in the first period and the Eagles took over on their own 20 yard line for a quick strike.

On the third play of the possession, Terry hit wide receiver Tevin Green who raced up the left sideline for a 79-yard scoring play. The extra point by Rudi Castillo missed its mark, but the margin was narrowed to 6-14 at the 11:06 mark of the second quarter.

Neither team scored on their next possessions, then Palestine took over about midfield and marched down field in five plays to tally on a 4-yard pass. The extra point boot gave the Wildcats a 21-6 advantage, which held until half-time.

The second half was a different story as the Eagles got two quick scores to tie the game at 21-all midway through the third period.

Receiving the second half kickoff and setting up shop on the 32 yard line, Fairfield hit paydirt in just three plays, on a 63-yard run by quarterback Willie Tatum. Castillo booted the PAT to make it 13-21.

Eagles defensive back Colby Green fired up the team when he riled up a Wildcats player who drew an unsportsmanlike penalty, then intercepted a pass on the next play.

Starting from their own 46 yard line, the Eagles marched down field in six plays to score on a 1-yard plunge by Darian Scott. Going for two points, Anthony Price sprinted into the end zone untouched to tie the game at 21-all with 6:30 left on the third period clock.

Key to the drive was a 39-yard run by Scott.

Fairfield ended the next Wildcats' possession on the first play when Price intercepted a pass on the Palestine 41 yard line.

With the momentum flowing in their direction, the Eagles took five plays to score again and take their first lead of the contest at 28-21.

Tatum connected on a pass to Lamar O'Brien for 24 yards and Scott broke free from the 16 yard line to cross the goal line. Castillo added the extra point kick.

Palestine evened the tally shortly, marching 81 yards in six plays to score from four yards out. The PAT kick was good.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles took advantage of a big Palestine mistake to set up a short touchdown drive.

Fairfield punted away on fourth down and when the football settled on the Palestine 32 yard line, a Wildcat player reached down and touched the ball as he he were downing it. The touch made the kick live and the Eagles recovered.

The FHS squad marched the remaining 32 yards in three plays, scoring on an 8-yard run by Scott. Castillo added the PAT kick for a 35-28 lead with 7:30 remaining in the game.

Palestine, however, answered immediately with a 74-yard drive that took eight plays and about four minutes. After the PAT boot, the score was tied again, 35-all.

Tatum gave Fairfield field position at their own 41 yard line after returning the kickoff 16 yards and the team moved into Palestine territory until fumbling on the Wildcats' 36.

The Wildcats advanced to the Eagles' 10 yard line in five plays and time running out. From there, they kicked a field goal to go ahead 38-35.

Fairfield received the ensuing kickoff with one second remaining on the game clock and tried some razzle-dazzle on the return, lateraling the football a half dozen times as they attempted to reach the end zone until the ploy played out.

"We have to play with the same passion and intensity we played the second half. We need to play that way for four quarters," the Eagles head coach says. "We attacked them and we have to do that from the opening whistle."

The Eagles held an edge in the offensive statistics, compiling 419 yards total offense to 374 for the Wildcats.

Fairfield gained 295 yards on the ground and 124 yards passing while Palestine had 269 rushing and 104 in the air.

"In district, every game is going to be like the other night. It's going to be a dogfight," Piske says.

The Eagles host the Browsboro Bears this Friday at 7:30 p.m.