The Ashley Eagles opened the 2026 high school football season with a 16-12 victory over the Sanderson Spartans, overturning a 12-0 deficit that had seemed insurmountable early in the game.
The turnaround ignited when R.J. Tindall stepped into the spotlight, intercepting a pass from Sanderson’s quarterback on third down from the 3-yard line and shifting the momentum decisively.
Sanderson’s offense had struck first, scoring two early touchdowns, but the Eagles’ defense tightened in the second half, forcing turnovers and limiting the Spartans’ scoring opportunities.
The decisive offensive drive came when Michael Miller Jr. plunged into the end zone from five yards out after the ball was placed on Ashley’s 5-yard line, giving the Eagles a narrow lead.
A Coach’s First Victory
First‑year head coach Adam Purzitza praised his team’s resilience, emphasizing the defensive adjustments that turned the tide and highlighting the players’ willingness to execute under pressure.
The win also marked the end of an era for former assistant Dante Lombardi, who left Ashley’s staff to join North Brunswick’s coaching crew after the 2025 season.
Despite a dropped pass near the goal line and a brief timeout confusion, the Eagles managed to keep the clock moving and seal the win, improving to 1-0 in the new season.
The early victory offers a glimpse of the Eagles’ potential, but the schedule will test their depth as they prepare for upcoming rivals and aim to build on the momentum generated by their defensive breakthrough.