Running back Eugene Jordan sets record in Barnstable football win over rival Falmouth

Colin Fay (10) and Gibson Guimond celebrate after Fay made a catch in the end zone for Barnstable’s third touchdown against Falmouth in the first half of the Thanksgiving Day game. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times

FALMOUTH — Barnstable running back Eugene Jordan broke the team's single-season rushing yards record and scored three touchdowns on the way to a 42-7 victory over Thanksgiving Day rival Falmouth.

Jordan, a senior, rushed for 1,860 yards this season. In October, he set the record for single-game rushing yards in a game against Durfee when he rushed for 306 yards. Both records were previously held by Clinton Brown during the 2001 season. 

"It means everything to me because I wanted to break the school record for yards in a season," Jordan said. "I was hyped about the first one but it is insane that I was able to leave a mark at this school."

Jordan scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter with a 3-yard run into the endzone, giving the Red Hawks a 7-0 lead after a successful extra point by kicker Shawn Haislett.

Later in the first quarter, Chevy Shakespeare got an interception for Barnstable. Less than a minute later, the Red Hawks converted that turnover into points with a 13-yard touchdown run by Gibson Guimond.

In the second quarter, Barnstable switched it up with a trick play when running back Guimond threw a touchdown pass to Colin Fay that put them up 21-0.

"We have been working all year by throwing punches every single play and giving everything we got," Guimond said. "This game is an honor to play in and (it) feels great to come out on top like that. I'm so proud of this team."

Later on in the second, Ayden Edwards scored his first touchdown of the game with a 2-yard run increasing the Red Hawks lead to 28-0.

At the start of the third quarter, Jordan fumbled a handoff in the backfield and the Clippers recovered it. Following that turnover, Falmouth scored its first touchdown of the game with a pass from Aiden North to Colby Fender cutting the Red Hawks' lead to 28-7. 

Midway through the third quarter, Jordan scored his second touchdown of the game on a 19-yard run that pushed Barnstable's lead to 35-7. Early in the fourth quarter, Jordan scored for a third time with a 16-yard rush.

"I really feel happy to make big plays because it hypes up my team and it makes them want to make plays as well," Jordan said. "It gives a lot of energy towards our team and it is something that helps get these wins.

The Thanksgiving rivalry between the two teams began in 1905. Barnstable won that first game 16-0. Since then, Barnstable has won 66 games, Falmouth has won 64 and there have been nine ties.

"This rivalry means everything," Barnstable Head Coach Ross Jatkola said. "We talk about it every year that no matter what happens during the regular season, this is the most important game. It's just really special to get a win on Thanksgiving against Falmouth."

The COVID pandemic caused the cancellation of the fall season last year, but the two teams did meet during last spring’s reduced Fall II season, with Barnstable shutting out Falmouth 38-0. After that game, Barnstable had a two-game win streak over Falmouth, after the Clippers had won four in a row from 2015-18. 

Prior to the Thanksgiving game, there had been a total of 62 shutouts played between the two teams over the years. Barnstable had 29 shutouts while Falmouth has had 27 shutouts over the years with their most recent in 2004 (7-0) and there were six 0-0 ties, the last in 1941.

"Especially since this is my last year, this is one of the biggest games so far in my life," Jordan said. "It's a huge rivalry and a game I'm always looking forward to at the start of the year. It's just amazing to win on Thanksgiving."