The 8U Washington Panthers and Washington Eagles went into Saturday morning’s game with a win apiece. Defenses exceled against streaky offenses, and Laquez Slade’s first-quarter touchdown stood as the decisive score in the Panthers’ 8-0 win.

Slade also scooted in for the 2-point conversion to put pressure on the Eagles. They drove down to the Panthers’ 14-yard line late in the fourth quarter, needing a touchdown and the two points after to force overtime.

Marshal Chase made the tackle to force a turnover on downs. It gave the Eagles the ball with 2:35 left, and fullback Kalikah Booth used his strength to push the Eagles. He started the series with a 12-yard run and got out of bounds to stop the clock. Justus Jennette followed that with a gain of 22 that put the Eagles in Panther territory.

Booth pushed his way through the middle for 14 yards, but the drive sputtered out as Panther Vincent Warren made the final red-zone stop.

The Eagles had an opportunity in the first half, too. After forcing a Panther punt, Booth rumbled along the right sideline on consecutive plays for a gain of 40 yards. It put the Eagles in the red zone, but the Panthers stood tall with a sack on fourth-and-13.

The Panthers started the second half on their own 35-yard line, but were quickly set back after a run for loss and a myriad of penalties. They punted the ball away and their defense held the Eagles with ease. Jabaree Norman and Eason Taylor converged on the Eagles ball carrier for a turnover on downs in Eagles’ territory.

Logan Blank and the Panthers’ offense marched out with favorable field position. Jahmay Green provided an immediate spark with a 9-yard rush. They came within five yards of the end zone, but the Eagles held strong to keep the game within reach.