For many on the Oak Mountain sideline, Thursday’s game would be their last as an Eagle. Senior quarterback Drew McKnight led the Eagles to victory on the road, 41-20, over Paul Bryant High School for both teams’ season finale.

McKnight rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more, one with tight end Davis Dudchock on the receiving end and the other to Jonathan Bush.

“Drew, of course, is our unquestioned leader,” Oak Mountain head coach Jerry Hood said. “Defensively we finally played like we should. It was really a good way to end. Everybody played pretty decent. They’ll have a good team next year with nine kids coming back on defense.”

The Eagles, who led 20-7 at the half and 41-7 after three quarters, were also aided in scoring by a touchdown run by Zach May and a 50-yard interception return from junior linebacker Romie Arora.

Hood said there wasn’t anything special about the final game of the season. It was simply one the Eagles were supposed to win, and they did.

“The juniors wanted to win it for the (24) seniors. I thought the intensity was there. There’s some great kids on that senior bunch, and I really enjoyed coaching them,” Hood said.

Oak Mountain closes its season 3-7.