After a 10-year absence, the Jacksonville Golden Eagles will once again be a part of the playoff scene as they grabbed the last playoff spot with a 36-12 win over Locust Fork.

The win will pit Jacksonville (6-3, 4-3) who came in fourth in Class 4A Region 6 against Region 5 winner Midfield (8-1, 5-1) in the first round of playoffs.

The Eagles will finish their regular season this Friday with a non-region game against Wellborn, which beat White Plains to also earn a playoff spot.

Jacksonville went into Friday night's game against Locust Fork knowing that two things had to happen. First, St. Clair County had to lose to Oneonta, and second the Eagles had to win against Locust Fork.

Not being able to control the first part of the equation, the Eagles went to work to assure that they did all they could to make the second part of the equation happen. As it turned out, St. Clair County did lose to Oneonta, and the Eagles played like a determined group of football players who were hungry to get back into the playoff picture.

Jacksonville's offensive line opened up gaping holes to allow the Eagles to amass 388 yards rushing. The Eagles defense, while giving up 206 yards passing allowed Locust Fork only 70 yards rushing, minus 6 in the second half.

While Locust Fork scored on a two-yard run on their first drive of the game, the rest of the night belonged to Jacksonville.

Starting on their 28-yard line the Eagles put together a drive that culminated in an eight yard run by Cordero Little. The extra point by Brock Sanderson was good and the Eagles took a 7-6 lead and never looked back.

Jacksonville's first score was set up by a 56-yard run by quarterback Forrest Pearson. Only a sophomore, Pearson was nothing less than brilliant on the night, determined to take the Eagles into the playoffs. Pearson led all rushers with 159 yards on nine carries to include carries of 11, 56, 21, 43 and 23 yards.

Forrest was also 1-for-2 passing, the sole completion a 56-yard touchdown strike to brother Jackson.

On defense Forrest had an interception, a blocked extra point and three hits.

The Forrest to Jackson connection happened in the second quarter as Jackson raced down the middle of the field. Forrest hit his brother in stride and Jackson made one of the best catches of all time, staying focused as he juggled the ball from one hand to another, and then, as the ball dropped it hit the back of Jackson's heel and into his hands as he crossed the goal line for the score.

With another Sanderson extra point the Eagles led 14-6 at halftime.

Jacksonville scored the first time they had the ball in the second half on a one-yard plunge into the end zone by Stephen Waters.

The start of the fourth quarter saw the Eagles once again driving down the field. Little scored once again on another eight yard run. Sanderson, who made all but one extra point, put the Eagles up 28-6.

Jacksonville scored their final touchdown as Waters scored his second touchdown of the game on a 43-yard scamper up the middle. Waters ended the game with 85-yards rushing and Little tacked on 88 yards.

The Eagles closed out their scoring with a safety for the 36-12 win.

Credit not only the offensive line for excellent blocking allowing the runners huge holes to run through, but also the explosive efforts on the defensive side.

Jacksonville had outstanding performance put in by Waters, who had 10 hits to include two tackles for losses and two quarterback pressures, and Joey Thompson who had nine hits.

Jackson Pearson had two interceptions, one to stop a two-point conversion, had a touchdown saving tackle, broke up a pass, had six hits and threw a runner for a five yard loss.

Free safety Jack Whaley brought "oohs" and winces from the fans as time and again he put crushing hits on Locust Fork runners and receivers.

Other defensive players, Noah Whaley, Zach Shadoan, Immanuel Holifield, Randy Wood.., in short, the entire Eagle defense, put in stellar performances.

Golden Eagle Head Coach Roland Houston was understandably proud of the effort his players put into the game.

"The kids were hungry to get into the playoffs. We talked about it and they knew that for us to have any possibility of getting in we would have to play well tonight and win and that's what they did," he said.

"It was a very physical game. We talked about it at halftime that we had to come back out and play a good physical game with both our offensive line and defensive line because they (Locust Fork) came ready to play.

"I thought Forrest did a good job on his reads. He had some big runs for us in crucial situations and defensively, even though we gave some passes underneath we didn't give up the deep pass and that's what would have beat us in the second half."

Jacksonville will entertain Wellborn at Golden Eagle Stadium on Friday night as the Golden Eagles honor an outstanding football senior class.