The excitement was electric at Wright Field for this standing room only "week zero" non-district game. Why? The CHS Cheerleaders had the participants of their junior cheer camp on the field and finished up their routines with "Ice cream & cake"...and you know every girls grandmother had to see that! The United Way 2009 fund raising drive had it's annual kickoff with a balloon release on the field, and oh by the way, all of the high school football lovers from Camden & McKenzie were ready to watch their team play some ball!
Senior captains for the Lions were on the field for the coin toss: Dakota Summers, Michael Gaskin, Demetric Dunlap, and Patrick Hassell & take the ball. Patrick & Derek Easley are deep, the kick is away & the 2009 Lions are in action! Patrick fields the ball cleanly & slides left behind his blockers to the 28-yard line. Senior quarterback Michael Gaskin has the offense lined up, Dakota on the reset left, Kendrick Hudson in motion & has the ball. Kendrick adds a cut outside & has a 1st down at the 42! A broken play results in a loss to the 33 and a pass interference call on the next down makes it all add up to 2nd & 9 at the 43. Devon White takes the handoff and runs in behind Ethan Melton, Trevor Latendresse and Marcus Nobles for a gain of 4, 3rd & 5. Kendrick rolls left for no gain & Michael is punting it away. Good punt is fielded with a fair catch at the McK 23-yard line.
Lions defense is on the field. The Rebels start with a quick hitter up the middle, but Larry Jamison is in the backfield for a loss of 3. The Rebel QB stumbles as he comes out from center & spots Trae White barreling down fast. He stays down at the 9-yard line & McK has a 3rd & 23. The Rebel tail back tries right end, it's all plugged up by Cody Robin & Dakota with help from Blake Riley & they are punting it away. It's an ugly low right squiggler, and the offense will start at the McK 44. Good stop, defense!
7:17 on the 1st quarter clock and the McK defense jumps, 5 yards our way. Michael keeps around right end for a short gain. Flag for movement, give the 5 back, 2nd & 9. Motion left, Michael gives to Devon slanting left & he drives out to the 40, 3rd down. Michael looking downfield as he runs right, tucks it away & gets to the 36, 4th & 2. Going for it, Derek Easley carries around left end...had the 1st, yellow flag says "holding" & makes it 4th & 7 at the 41. Still going for it, Devon dives thru the right side...but ends up short, and McKenzie takes over on downs.
The Lions defense has pressure on the QB & he throws it away. A run to the right is forced out of bounds at their 37. The shift Rebel QB runs it for a 1st before Dakota can get him on the ground at our 46. The striped shirts chip in an official water break - time out to keep everybody hydrated. Sweep right, but Patrick & Kyle Blackburn combine for the stop after a gain of 4. Trevor Latendresse stops the dive up the middle, 3rd & 1. The Rebels get the first down with a run up the middle, but lose their patience & try a long pass into the end zone...right where Michael Gaskin is in coverage, and he intercepts! Lions ball at the 20!
With 1:39 left in the quarter, it's time for the offense to heat it up. A defensive offside penalty gives us a +5 start, thank you very much. Devon bulls thru the right side, pushed back, but has enough for the 1st at the 30. Devon again to the left, knocks one Reb backwards, around another one and gains 4. We jump, back it up 5, and it's the end of the 1st quarter. Set up another 12 minutes, go again. Michael takes the snap from Trevor, looks right then runs left, GO! Big gainer down the left sideline, horse collar tackle flag adds 15, and the Lions have a 1st down at the McK 19! Maurice Whitfield takes the inside hand off for 3. False start CHS, 2nd & 12 at the 21. Dakota reset, Derek in motion, has the ball and the left sideline all the way down to the 17. Devon straight ahead, big wreck, still churnin' into another explosion with a Rebel & has the first down at the 4! Devon behind Ethan & Trevor, time out Black & Gold at the 2 yard line. Devon tries the right side, no gain. Kendrick same place, gains one, 4th & goal show up time. Michael Gaskin on the sneak behind Ethan, Trevor, Marcus, a big push & the Lions score! Dakota Summers has the extra point booted thru & with 8:30 left before the half, the Lions are up 7-0.
The Rebels field Dakota's low driving spinner at the 10 & run it up the middle...until he runs into Kyle & Maurice at their 34. Refs add a holding call & they will start at the 19. After a run, a 1st down holding call moves them back to the 16. Blake Riley rolls the ball carrier down, 2nd & 10. Their QB runs out of the shotgun for a gain of 2, Rebel time out. The Lions defensive front chases their QB all over, still completes a pass, but a hold in the backfield moves it all back to their own 4! Trevor meets the dive play at the 11 & they are set to punt. Derek fields the punt, adds a move & is downed at the McK 45. The refs quickly pronounce that the ground caused the ball to be loose & the red-dressed fans sound off.
A run thru the middle results in a fumble, McK ball at our 41. They go for the long jump ball, complete at the 4. The score is off of a run up the middle, kick good & with 5:07 left, it's a tied ball game at 7.
The Rebs kick it deep left to Derek Easley - - bad plan - - and he takes care of the rest. A cut to the sideline is followed by a great move inside, thru the wedge of blockers & no one can catch him for the touchdown! No flags, Lions back on top! Dakota drills the extra point kick thru & with 4:53 left in the 2nd quarter, the Lions lead 14-7!
The Rebs field Dakota's kick & run it to the 29. The McK series had two running plays, a delay of game flag & a QB sack by Trevor start it off. Their punt is a rocket that is downed at the 29 with 2:15 left before the break. The Camden offense can't get rolling & 3-plays later, Michael's punt rolls out of bounds at the McKenzie 40. They are able to string together 5 plays before Derek bats the ball away at the 10-yard line & both teams head into the lockers with Camden up 14-7.
Both bands perform at half, and Dakota is back on the field meeting the Rebel captain at midfield. Dakota kicks it down the left sideline and Sean Flores and Devon meet the returner at the 35. The Rebs string together 3 plays before Kyle & Dakota combine in the backfield for a 2-yard loss. A one-hop incompletion and the punt is away.
Patrick Hassell hauls it in...and hauls the mail down the left side line for the score! But a block in the back call moves it back to our 32, first down. Three plays later, a fumble is recovered by the Rebels at their own 45 & the Lions defense is back on the field with 8:15 in the 3rd.
The Rebs string together a 9-play scoring drive and they set up for the extra point kick to tie it up at 14 all. Their kick is in the endzone & the Lions will start at their 20. Camden can't overcome a false start penalty, and with 3:20 showing, Michael punts it down the center. Jacob Sharum is able to stop the returner at midfield and the Lions defense checks in.
The McKenzie 10-play scoring drive stretches over into the 4th quarter, when the tailback jumps the pile to score. With 10:34 on the clock, the PAT snap is fumbled, the holder picks it up & sprints to the right pylon to add the 2-point conversion, 22-14 Rebels.
Can the Black & Gold answer?
Yup. Give 'em 8 plays.
Patrick Hassell grabs the deep kick & follows his blockers along the right sideline to the 33. Kendrick slides in behind Michael Heck & Dakota for a gain of 7. Derek has the ball around right end, hit, spins GO! Hit again, adds another spin for the 1st down at the Rebel 45! Michael gives to Devon, slants left & gets 5 yards. Same play other side & Devon has the first down at their 33! One of the officials falls out with a leg cramp, he is up & OK & play is resumed. Big 41 on the dive behind his M& M's, (Murphy & Melton) for a gain of 4. Kendrick has the ball on the sweep of right end, kicks in the burners at the corner for a 1st down at the 18! Devon left, has the edge & dives to the 11. The 8th play of the drive has Derek picking his way along the right side of the line, looks inside but cuts outside & sprints to the right pylon for the score! The 2-point conversion attempt isn't there, and with 6:13 left in the game, the Lions trail 22-20.
The McK returner handles the low spinner on one hop & starts up the middle, but Blake Riley & Larry Jamison have him in their sights & drop him at the 35 with 6:07 on the clock.
Need the ball, defense.
Jordan Murphy & Cody Robin combine for the stop. Larry Jamison hunts down a Rebel after the injury time out to make it 3rd & 7. A long pass down the right sideline lands 'way out of bounds and they are punting it away. Great stop defense!
The punt is a rocket that rolls all the way to the 3-yard line, so Camden is only 97 yards and less than four and a half minutes away from a score to win the game.
No problem, right? Here is how the drive went...
Devon White behind Ethan, Trevor and Marcus THEN runs over 3 Rebs for a first down at the 23! Derek Easley motion left, has the ball & cuts up field for a gain of 3. All of THAT set up THIS:
Michael takes the snap, the offensive line holds their blocks as he give it to Derek Easley rolling right. Derek sells the run, then steps back & throws a perfect strike to a slanting Patrick Hassell at the McK 40! First down, great play! Michael sells his fake hand off to Derek & then gives it to Devon. He blasts thru the middle for another 1st down at the 29! We line it up, time out McKenzie. Kendrick Hudson picks his way along the right side of the line looking for a seam, makes a Rebel miss, jumps over another & gains 9. A Rebel player is injured, time out. Gaskin hands it to Devon. He slides in behind Michael Heck & Dakota, shakes off 3 Rebs and scores on a 20-yard run from scrimmage! The 2-point conversion run is pushed back, but with 2:13 left to play the Lions have the lead 26-22!
After the out of bounds kick, we kick over and Kyle Blackburn drops the returner with a center punch tackle at their 38. Pass caught in the left flat, but Devon is there with a big stop, gain of 4. McKenzie tries another long pass down the left sideline, but Derek is playing centerfield & hauls the ball in over his shoulder for the interception! Lions ball at the 21 yard line with 1:34 left to play!
Michael starts off with a kneel down & the Rebs burn their final time out. 1:31 left. Devon up the center for a short gain. Devon tries left end for a gain of 5, but there is still 4.2 pesky seconds left in the game.
Punt? Run it? What have they got left to try? Time out CHS to talk it over...
Michael takes the snap, runs left, Rebles closing in, so he runs straight backwards towards the end zone as the horn sounds and it is scored as a safety! Final score 26-24 Lions.
Some stats of interest:
First downs: McK 11; CHS 15
Rushing: McK 41 for 138 yards; CHS 45 for 245 yards
Passing: McK 5 of 12 for 70 yards; CHS 1 of 2 for 34 yards
Penalties: McK 8 for 70 yards; CHS 8 for 55 yards
Leading rusher
Devon White 20 carries for 157 yards
Leading tacklers
Kyle Blackburn - 13 total, 2 solo & 1 for loss
Larry Jamison – 11 total, 1 solo & 1 for loss
Blake Riley – 10 total, 1 solo
Talking with Head football coach Kevin Ward about the win:
"I think maybe our fans got their money's worth tonight! Proud of the turnout & the support, people coming out & watching our kids play, it made me proud of them. They gave a huge effort tonight, playing four quarters & not giving up when things didn't go their way, just overall, a good night for us!"
On Michael Gaskin's early interception in the end zone:
"He is a four year starter for us, Senior captain, you expect him to make those kinds of plays. He is a quarterback in our defensive backfield! As a coach, that is what you want, he is able to run the defense like he runs the offense. Michael his done a good job leading."
On the last scoring drive, going 97 yards to score:
"It might be one of the biggest drives that I have ever been part of as a coach! I challenged them with the fact that they have put too much into this game to not give me their best effort on this drive. We did a good job up front with our blocking, the halfback pass was perfect, if he stays on his feet we probably score right there! We did a good job of managing the football and the clock, just a solid win."
On the "half time adjustments":
"We really didn't make any. They didn't make the semifinal round last year by accident, we knew they were going to come out and make plays against us. I expect them to be playing in Cookeville this year, they are solid & have a bunch of good athletes that play hard. We just had to execute better & do the things we had in our game plan & take advantage of the situations we had. We didn't play well defensively in the 2nd half, not like we normally do & we gave up a few scores. We were able to capitalize on some things they gave us."
On the last play of the game:"We considered punting...and all of the bad things that can happen on a punt. I didn't really want to give them the ball back & let them run another play. Just kept thinking of what we could do. Couldn't take the safety too early because you have to kick off to them. So we came up with run around until the clock expires close to the end zone. Hindsight, we probably should have jumped off side, the clock would have started & we wouldn't have had to run another play. I learned as a coach tonight, maybe we can use it to win another game some day. That's always what you are looking for."
On the "chess game" between the two coaches:
"I am sure he was calling some of their plays to get to us, we were trying to figure out what he was seeing in us. I tried to step back when we were on defense & figure out what their coaches were seeing, but you can't ever really tell what they are going to do. We had a good game plan, executed well at times, played well for the most part. Had some early game mistakes, but we were better than last week in the Jamboree. We've got an opportunity to watch it on tape & correct some things, we got some things fixed, tackled better. If we can continue to improve & keep everybody healthy, get Tyler back healthy, that will give us some depth at linebacker."
On the huge effort by the team:
"It's emotional, sometimes when you look around & see the kids dead tired but still doing what you ask. You can't help but think: they are doing that for me? It's very touching that they respect all of our coaches they way they don & want to please us to win football games. Early in the pregame, I could see a lot of "big eyes" around, players that were a little overwhelmed with it all. You could tell as they got into the game, the figured that these are sophomores, junior, seniors that we are lining up against, just like we are! If they can do the things we have been coached to do, they will be successful....and they were! They got some confidence & started believing and it showed."
On the timing of Derek Easley's kick runback:
"Just about perfect, answered the McKenzie score! You know we ran a punt back too, with a flag bringing it back. We had opportunities to really build a big lead, maybe get a few kids off the field, rest some, and get some play by the back ups, but we just made so many mistakes, it was a struggle all night. I can't be satisfied until we are playing the best ball we can play. We are a long way from that, but we are improving. We started our practice about a week earlier than everyone else & concentrated on our special teams that whole week. I told the team then, special teams play would win a game for us early in the season. I have no doubt that the kick off return tonight was the reason we had a chance to win tonight. We will continue to work on special teams play all year."
On individual efforts:
"Jordan Murphy played well defensively, Blake Riley, Dakota, Kyle did, pleased with the play of those three linebackers. Cody Robins played a good game at defensive end filling in for Dakota. Probably one of Derek Easley's best games. Devon, 20 carries for great yardage...I asked him before the game, "What kind of effort will you give tonight, one or a ten?" He said "A Ten Coach!" I could go on and on. We were able to play a lot of kids tonight in a lot of situations & they all stepped up to the challenge."
On the loud fans:"I am hearing the fans thru Coach Blow's headset, and a lot of times, I couldn't hear! Had to get him to cover his mic. I do appreciate our fans, how they were into the game & cheered when we needed them. It was a good crowd on both sides, good for the program financially, but good to know this town is supporting our team. I hope they will drive over to Bruceton next Friday & be loud for us there!"
On the health of the team:
"We have some nicks & bruises, cramps, things that you would expect after a hard fought physical game early in the season. Sore shoulders, sore legs, arms, that's what you are going to get after the first football game is behind you with four full quarters. It's not like a game where you get a big lead early & get the starters out. We will get therapy where we need it & get everybody ready to play by next Friday night."
On this weeks' work getting ready for Bruceton:
"Bruceton didn't have a week zero game, so we will only have the Jamboree & a scrimmage tape to look at. We really won't know what they will do. We will have to make some adjustments during the game, really all that we can do. It is their first game under a new head coach, so I know we will get their best effort, hopefully they will get ours. We will break tonight's game tape down & have some individual corrections to work on this week."
Let's all follow the team bus for that short nine-mile ride over to Bruceton & cheer for our Lions!
GO LIONS!
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