By Zack Cunningham/sportsreporter@trcle.com

JOSHUA — The Joshua Owls started off the 2009 football season in style as skydivers swooped down from overhead in the pregame ceremonies to deliver the game ball to Joshua head coach Jerry Bird.

The show on the field wasn’t bad, either, as the Owls defeated Azle, 30-14, to open Owl Stadium with a win.

On the first drive of the game, after receiving the opening kickoff, Joshua drove 73 yards in 19 plays and used up 10:39 off the clock before Jesse Williamson found Michael Keeton in the end zone.

The extra point attempt missed, putting the Owls up, 6-0.

Joshua turned up the heat in the second quarter as Riley Davis intercepted a Cory Alexander pass and returned it 50 yards to the Hornet 25, before a horsecollar penalty at the end of the run gave the Owls the ball at the 10.

Three plays later, Williamson hit Weston Foster on a screen pass for an 8-yard touchdown to make it 13-0, Owls.

As the second quarter wound to a close, Joshua threatened again after receiving a punt at their own 45.

The Owls drove right down the field as Williamson found Keeton for 15 yards and Garrett Rhoades for 13 on the drive.

Joshua had first-and-goal on the 10, and Foster did the rest with his feet, putting the Owls up, 20-0.

Owl head coach Jerry bird said his team got down to business quickly.

“I was impressed,” Bird said. “We came out and went on that 10-minute drive to score, and we executed what we talk about constantly. Taking care of the football and winning the field position battle.

“I told them, if we just hang in there, we’ll win in the fourth quarter.”

The Hornets weren’t going into halftime quietly, though.

Azle took the ball and drove 82 yards in just over a minute as Jordan Beall plowed into the end zone from 18 yards out.

Beall ran three times for 47 yards on the drive, and Azle trailed, 20-7 at halftime.

The Hornets gained momentum as the third quarter got under way by driving 56 yards in three plays, and capped off the drive with another touchdown run by Beall, this time from 16 yards out.

As Azle built momentum, Bird said he stressed the importance of each individual play as the contest grew tighter.

“I told them to keep playing that perfect play,” Bird said. “I told them we’ll overcome those bad situations and momentum swings, and we’ll eventually get it in our favor.”

With momentum shifting sidelines, the Owls buckled down on defense and later in the quarter forced a key fumble with 6:54 remaining.

With the Hornets facing fourth-and-two, the snap sailed high over Curtis Hamilton’s head, and Justin Massey dove on it at the Azle 17.

The Owls were unable to capitalize on the field position, though, as a Ryan Castro field goal attempt was blocked.

As the third quarter wound to a close, the Hornets fumbled again, and Joshua regained possession at midfield.

Seven plays later, Castro booted a 38-yard field goal through to give the Owls a two-possession lead at 23-14 before forcing the Hornets to punt on their next drive.

Joshua took control of the game on the next drive by going 75 yards in 12 plays before Williamson found Rhoades from 10 yards out to round out the scoring.

The Owl defense came up big down the stretch with several key players making important stops.

“Garrett King played really well,” Bird said. “And so did T.J. McGough, and I thought both of our cornerbacks, for sophomores, played really well.

“As a team, I think they played their hearts out on the defensive unit.”

Bird said Williamson made good decisions in the opener.

“He’s just got to relax and develop some confidence,” Bird said. “The receivers caught the ball really well. We need to improve a bit on the offensive line, even though we did a great job.

“We need to hand the pressure well. It was a great team effort with no turnovers.”

Williamson went 19-for-33 on the night for 177 yards.

Beall finished the night with 152 yards on the ground on 20 attempts.