This story was written by Sports Editor Mark Buffalo.

The Des Arc Eagles rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat the Earle Bulldogs and gain a share of the 2A-2 conference title in the process last Thursday.

Des Arc tied with Marked Tree and Earle for the title. The Eagles will be the No. 2 seed in the state playoffs and host Carlisle on Friday night.

Earle led 14-0 with 11:38 left in the first half. The Eagles finally got on the board with 7:38 left in the half on a two-yard run by Hudson Goodman. Jamie Collins scored the two-point conversion to make the score 14-8 at halftime.

Des Arc took the second half kickoff and held the ball for almost eight minutes, taking a 16-14 lead with 4:16 left in the third quarter. CJ Willhite scored on a seven-yard run. Luke McIntosh scored the two-point conversion.

Earle reclaimed the lead at 20-16 with 8:30 left in the game.

Des Arc was forced to punt on its next possession. The Eagles then forced an Earle fumble with McIntosh recovering the ball at the Earle 16 with 5:25 left.

Des Arc eventually reclaimed the lead on a one-yard run by Goodman, who added the two-point conversion with 3:10 left.

Des Arc then attempted an onside kick with Jett Burton recovering at the Earle 44. The Eagles were then able to run out the clock, never giving Earle the ball back, securing the victory.

“It was a great night,” Des Arc coach Nick Smith said. “The kids did exactly what we’ve been preaching all week. We told them to not even worry about the scoreboard. Just play one play at a time the best, hardest, my physical that you can play for four to sex seconds. Get up and do it again and just keep stacking those.

“I told them that I guarantee you than when the clock goes to zero, you will be proud of what you put on the field. That’s exactly what our kids did.”

Des Arc plays Carlisle in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs Friday night. Des Arc held off a furious Bison rally in 32-24 win Sept. 11.

“It’s going to be a classic,” Smith said. “There’s no doubt about it. Coach BJ Harrison has got his team rallied back. They’ve been dealing with some injuries. Their staff has done a really good job just plugging away and keeping their kids on track.”

Kickoff at Hinson Rollins Field is set for 7 p.m.