2005 #4 Riceville Wildcats (6-3) vs #5 Loudon Hoppers (5-4) - Playoffs Round 1

Sequoyah Conference 1st Round Playoff Game November 5th">

2005 #4 Riceville Wildcats (6-3) vs #5 Loudon Hoppers (5-4) - Playoffs Round 1 Sequoyah Conference 1st Round Playoff Game November 5th, 2005 Article by Jeff McQueen Photos by Jammie Graves 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Loudon Hoppers 6 6 0 8 20 Riceville Wildcats 0 0 6 6 12 Representing the Big Red Hoppers for the coin toss were Captains #24 Brandon “Newt” Burnette, #34 Jordan Davis, #43 Rodger “Red Shoes” Waddell, and #54 Caleb Green. Loudon won the coin toss and wanted the football. Out to avenge a week 5 loss to Riceville by the score of 14-12, the Hoppers goal was to survive and advance to the second round of the playoffs. The Hoppers set the tone of the game on their first possession. A six play drive resulted in a nine yard touchdown by #47 Macklyn “The Mac Attack” Russell! Although the conversion attempt failed, the Hoppers were up 6-0. Next up was the Big Red Hopper defense, they went right to work and forced the Wildcats three and out. After the punt, Loudon was in business on the 29 yard line. The offense earned a first down, but failed to convert on 4th and 2. Rice’ took over on downs. On the first play, #35 Jack “The Ironman” Nichols II just plain took the football away from the ball carrier. First and 10 Loudon Hoppers on the 49 yard line. With only 20 seconds left in the first quarter, the drive carries over into the second period. A holding penalty stalls out the momentum, and the Hoppers punt. The ‘Cats had trouble penetrating the Hopper defense and soon found themselves giving up the ball on downs. Taking over on the 47 yard line, there’s 2:25 remaining in the first half. QB #39 Travis Brewer scoots ahead for nine yards, but a holding penalty on the next play is a setback. With the help of a 15 yard pass interference penalty, the Hoppers are on the move. Brewer is back to pass again, he finds “Newt” Burnette open for a 25 yard pass and catch down to the three yard line! Nichols II gets the nod and the points as the Hoppers score with 8.3 seconds to spare. At half time, Loudon leads 12-0. To start the second half, the Wildcats have the ball on the 35 yard line. Another good defensive series for the Hopper “D”, results in yet another Riceville punt. After earning two first downs, the Hoppers cough up the football. Wasting little time, #29 Denzel Boyd races 45 yards for the Riceville touchdown. #39 Brewer broke up the pass on the conversion attempt. With the score now 12-6, and anybody’s game, would Loudon have an answer? Yes! The game is now early in the fourth period and #21 “Double J” Joshua “Action” Jackson was soon running loose down the sideline in route to a 55 yard touchdown! Brewer scooted around the right end for the extra 2-points. The ‘Cats roared right back with a 45 yard bell ringer by whom else, none other than #29 Boyd. That closed the score to 20-12, Loudon Hoppers. Loudon and Riceville swapped punts but Loudon took over on the 31 yard line with 4:10 remaining in the game. Keeping the ball on the ground and earning three first downs, the Hoppers were able to run out the clock and preserve the victory. The MVP Back was presented to #21 “Double J” Joshua “Action” Jackson, while the MVP Line was awarded #34 Jordan Davis. Total offense was 326 yards. Rushing accounted for 301 yards on 41 attempts for three touchdowns and a 2-point conversion, while passing added 25 more. In a very satisfying game, the Hoppers (6-4) advance on the merits of their 20-12 first round playoff victory! This Saturday, November 12th at 11:00am the Loudon Hoppers (6-4) will challenge the LCYFO Hoppers (9-0). This second round play-off game will be played at Lenoir City High School. Stats: 1st Downs: 11 Fumbles: 2, lost 1 Penalties: 4 for -30 yards Punts: 2 #35 Jack “The Ironman” Nichols II: (16) carries for 58 yds, (1) TD, (2) tackles, and a strip (take-a-way) #21 “Double J” Joshua “Action” Jackson: (15) carries for 173 yds, (1) TD, and (6) tackles #39 Travis Brewer: (7) carries for 55 yds, 1 for 3 passing for 25 yds, and (1) pass break up #47 Macklyn “The Mac Attack” Russell: (3) carries for 15 yds, and (1) TD #24 Brandon “Newt” Burnette: (1) reception for 25 yds and (2) tackles #34 Jordan Davis: (5) tackles, (1) tackle for a -5 yd loss #54 Caleb Green: (5) tackles #88 Zack “Unit 2” Mashburn: (4) tackles #45 Anthony Johnson: (4) tackles #71 Mason Mustin: (3) tackles #14 Toby Watts: (2) tackles #42 Tyler Eller: (1) tackle