Pleasant Home caught the injury bug, but kept fighting in a 49-28 loss to New Brockton on Friday night.

Eagles head football coach Chris Mason wouldn’t name who went down early in the game, but did say that the boys never quit.

“I challenged them to play it one play at a time,” Mason said about halftime, when PHS trailed 21-7. “They came out and answered. We marched down the field and scored.”

A little later on, PHS cut it to 27-21.

Fortunately, Mason said all of the injured players came back in the game to feel it out on the gridiron. The coach didn’t play them for the rest of the game.

“I was very proud of our kids for not laying down,” the first-year Eagles coach said. “I really do believe we gave New Brockton all they wanted as far as being physical on the line. We were able to run the ball really well in the second half.”

The Gamecocks led 14-0 early and PHS cut the game to one touchdown with a chance to tie it. However, NBHS stuffed the Eagles at the end zone.

“We dug a hole a little early and clawed back,” Mason said. “I learned a lot about kids and I think they learned a lot about themselves. I was pleased with way finished. We’ll be a bette team next week for it.”

PHS hosts McKenzie to start Class 1A, Region 2 play next week.