Although Glenwood jumped to an early 14-0 lead, the Fort Dale Eagles walked away with the win, 20-22, in the season opener for both teams.

“Winning ugly is a lot better than losing pretty,” said Coach Speed Sampley. “Some bad things happened, but I am proud we hung in there.”

Glenwood wasted no time getting onto the board, managing to run in a touchdown during their first possession.

Fort Dale looked as if they would answer right off the kickoff, but Stuart Matthew’s 59-yard return ended in a fumble with Glenwood recovering.

After fumbling and getting the ball right back, Glenwood added insult to injury by running in an 80-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 14-0

“The second half we came out and played with more intensity, but there were still way too many penalties,” Sampley said.

The momentum started shifting towards Fort Dale four minutes into the third quarter. On fourth and nine, Hunter Armstrong picked up 20 yards and the first down to keep the drive going.

Manny Norrell battled his way into the end zone, and Armstrong ran a QB sneak for the two-point conversion to knot the game at 14-14.

The Gators answered with 21 seconds left in the third, but failed to make the extra point. Glenwood went into the fourth quarter leading 20-14.

Armstrong would carry his Eagles right back to the red zone, however. Fort Dale battled down the field, with Manny Norrell and Perry Singleton each picking up five and six yard gains. Armstrong gave his team the lead, sneaking around the Gator line for his second touchdown, followed by his second two-point conversion of the night.

The Eagles managed to hold on to their two-point lead, letting the clock expire to win 20-22.

Armstrong had 18 carries for 90 yards, grabbing two touchdowns and two-point conversions. Manny Norrell lead the Eagles, with 25 carries for 124 yards, followed by Eli Blackmon, who grabbed two receptions for 11 yards,

The Eagles will hit the road next week to face rival Lee-Scott Academy in Auburn.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.