REEDLEY – Throughout this incredible season of emotions and historical firsts, the Immanuel Eagles have used every game as a measuring stick of greatness. The Eagles next challenge on their epic flight came from a McLane team they know all too well.
The Eagles and the Highlanders collided in the Central Section D IV Semifinals on Nov. 21, with perfection and championship glory at their front doorsteps. Sticking to their best game plan: hard-nosed, swarming defense and a ground and pound run game, #2 seed Immanuel left #3 seed McLane paying the piper 21-7 at County/Line Stadium.
“You know, the key thing right now is team, team, team,” said Immanuel head coach Josh Henderson. “We’re just really thankful for the way that one played out. I give so much credit to the McLane players. They are truly an excellent football team.”
That total team effort came through with a run game that punched the ball relentlessly down McLane’s throats. Tyler Romo punched his way through the line for the tough yards. And Seth Thomas’s two touchdowns on Immanuel’s first two possessions sent an early statement to a McLane defense that averaged 123 tackles for loss, according to stats on Max Preps.
“We knew they had improved the defense, but coming out and taking control from the beginning — I think without that, this would’ve been a different game,” said Henderson.
Immanuel didn’t forget about the epic playoff match that both of these teams played last season. In the 2024 D IV Quarterfinals, the Eagles barely held on to defeat the Highlanders in a classic 22-21 thriller. And since the Eagles gave McLane their only loss in the two seasons, this clash of undefeated titans took on a whole new meaning.
“They made improvements, techniques, they’ve demonstrated excellence and class, and they’re better than they were a year ago,” said Henderson. “We knew it was going to be a good game, but we wanted to get on top, and we were able to do that.”
Immanuel’s defense dished out one of its most emotional and impressive performances of the season. The Eagles’ D managed to contain McLane sophomore quarterback Vernon Lacy, who led an offense that averaged an astonishing 446.5 yards per game, according to stats in Max Preps. Forced out of the pocket on several occasions, Lacy simply couldn’t find the home run threats needed to put down the Eagles.
Getting big wins with team efforts against quality opponents has been the theme for Immanuel all season. And there’s a chance that this win is potentially the biggest of them all for the Eagles. Defeating the Highlanders isn’t just another W in the victory column.
“McLane’s been kind of lurking all year, and we knew last year we kind of snuck up on them,” said Henderson. “We knew there was no sneaking up tonight. We came out, we went head-to-head with a great football team, and to be able to win the way we did. I think that’s a really great thing.”
The last challenge for Immanuel is a date with destiny, facing top seed Templeton in the D IV title game. Playing against a top seed might seem like a daunting task; but these Eagles seem ready to clutch a long-awaited title in their talons.
“From the very beginning, we’ve been talking about a state championship, now we’re going to a championship game,” said Henderson.“You know what, they’re the number one seed, so no surprise where they are…expect a great game, I know we’re going to bring our best.”
