THOMASTON- The opportunity to make it to the playoffs was at stake during last night’s game between the A.L. Johnson Eagles and the Linden Patriots.

But in the end, the Patriots took home the win with a final score of 9-14.

After neither team managed to put points on the scoreboard during the first half, the Eagles’ Cleophus Daniel was able to make it into the end zone with 11:46 left in the second quarter.

The score was 6-0 Eagles when Eagles’ Michael McGhee kicked a field goal to add three more to the score.

At the half, the score was 9-0 and Eagles’ fans began to taste victory and smell the playoffs.

Unfortunately for them, the Eagles’ came back from half-time with a fumble and the game was handed over to the Patriots.

With 7:56 left in the fourth quarter, Linden’s Jared Jackson ran the ball into the end zone to make the score 9-6.

After a big first down, Linden’s Maurice Tate was down with a serious leg cramp and had to be escorted off the field with minutes left in the game.

But, that did not stop the Patriots. With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Marvis Richardson scored the team’s second touchdown to take the lead, 9-12.

Sean Richardson was there to catch a perfect pass during the two-point conversion attempt, which lead to the final score of 9-14.

Linden Coach Luther Davis said his team played 100 percent the second half although they struck out in the first.

“I asked them if they were ready to go home,” Davis said he told the team at the half. “They said they weren’t ready so we made some offensive adjustments.”

Davis said he thinks his team will do “pretty good” against Coffeeville next week as long as none of his players were injured in last night’s game.