Fort Campbell head coach touts both teams as ‘unique family’
Editor’s Note: For more photos of the game, visit the Fort Knox official Flickr album at Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl | Flickr.
Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl
Fort Knox Eagles regain momentum near the end of the 2023 Army Bowl game Sept. 15 and push into the Fort Campbell Falcons endzone for a final touchdown seconds before the clock ran out. It wasn't enough as the Falcons won 42-13. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. -- At the start of the 2023 Army Bowl held at Fort Knox's McAdams Field Sept. 15, the game was shaping up to be a nail biter.

The Fort Knox Eagles got on the scoreboard first and kicked the extra point. Within a few minutes, the Fort Campbell Falcons answered with their own touchdown and extra point kick.

By halftime, the Eagles were behind, but only by a touchdown and a two-point conversion. All-in-all, a solid performance on offense and defense by both teams.

At the start of the second half, however, things changed dramatically. The Falcons caught an updraft of momentum and started scoring quickly, seemingly stealing the wind out of the Eagles' sails.

Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Falcons launched a successful passing game throughout the game, mixing it up with hard-hitting runs. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Eagles cheerleaders wait for the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of the game. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two helicopters from Godman Army Airfield perform a flyover of McAdams Field as part of the pregame highlights. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Antonio V. Munera, commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command, tosses the coin at the 50-yard line. Fort Campbell called tails and won the coin toss. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Eagles fought hard to get back in the game, finally catching momentum at the end of the game. The final score: 42-13.

However, something special happened after the game. Falcons head coach Charles Poole called all players to the 50-yard line. Rather than his Falcons receiving the trophy and celebrating as in years past, he brought both teams together and encouraged each side for playing a classy game.

He then reminded both teams that they are unique among all high schools in the United States, being the only two with Department of Defense Education Activity: "We are family."

Falcons soar past Eagles at 2023 Army Bowl
Players from both teams intermingled and celebrated the game afterwards, led by Falcons head coach Charles Poole, who called the team unique in all of the United States as the only two under the Department of Defense Education Activity. “We are family,” he concluded. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL