If the Prince Edward County High School football team was still looking for its first win of the season in last Friday night's 40-26 homecoming loss to Park View, the Eagles may have viewed the game as a step in the right direction.

Maybe it was, but they're choosing to look at it as one that got away.

Trailing 21-18 at halftime, the Eagles appeared to get the momentum from Park View in the third quarter with three fumble recoveries. The third, which was returned for 75 yards by James Jones for a touchdown, that would've put the Eagles ahead, was called back due to a penalty.

“We had our chances,” said PE head coach James Ford. “We didn't capitalize on their mistakes, and it wound up hurting us in the fourth quarter.”

After a scoreless third quarter, Park View scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the game out of reach. An eight-yard touchdown run by Ralick Lockett late in the game, followed by a two-point conversion from quarterback Tavon Adams pulled the Eagles to within 14 points, but the game had already been decided.

Following the heated contest, tempers flared during the postgame handshakes. No decision on disciplinary measures, if any, had been decided as of Tuesday morning.

“It was an unfortunate ending,” said Ford, who didn't want to comment further.

Lockett almost pulled off football's version of hitting for the cycle with a receiving touchdown, a rushing touchdown, and a special teams touchdown when he returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score.

“We had just gotten our new scoreboard installed last week, so it was big for our kids to score the first touchdown on it.”

Park View scored on a four-yard run and a two-point conversion by tailback Jason Baskerville to take an 8-6 lead, and recovered the onside kick. Baskerville scored again, this time on a two-yard run, to give PV a 14-6 lead with 9:49 remaining in the half. Prince Edward quickly answered. Adams threw a 44-yard touchdown strike to Marquis Fitzgerald with 8:56 left in the second quarter to pull the Eagles back to within two points at 14-12.

Park View's Emeka Nwoacocha pushed the Dragons' lead to 21-6 at the 6:44 mark, before Prince Edward closed out the half on a 47 yard pass from Adams to Lockett with 34.7 seconds remaining in the half to pull the Eagles to within three points (21-18) at the break.

“Park View is big and tough up front, and they pushed us down the field a couple of times. They capitalized in spots where we didn't, and that's the difference right there. We had our opportunities to take the lead, and then to keep it close, but we didn't take advantage of them.”

Lockett led the Eagles offensively with 32 yards on five rushes and 46 yards receiving. Jakeem Eddins had 49 yards on seven carries, while James Jones gained 46 yards on three opportunities. Adams was 7-15 passing for 147 yards, two touchdowns and three second half interceptions.

Isaiah Davis led the Eagles defensively with 11 tackles (six solo). Walter Christmas had 12 (two solo), while Milton Monk tallied nine stops (six solo). Rashaad Walton forced and recovered a fumble, while Fitzgerald forced a fumble that was recovered by Jones.

“When you look at our stats, they don't look bad, but some of our mistakes jump out and they show a reason as to why we lost.”

With its rough pre-season record, Friday's loss to Park View seemingly put to rest any hopes for a league title. That was before Greensville upset SSD favorite Southampton.

“Greensville gave us, and probably the whole league a big gift,” said Ford. “We have a new life, and can take a big step forward if we can get a win at Brunswick this week. Brunswick has had a rough time so far, but they seem to be getting it back. Thier win over Sussex Central turned some heads.”

Prince Edward's game at Brunswick will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. in Lawrenceville.