Mustangs vs. Polk County - 2003 Playoffs

Mustangs 20 - Polk County 14

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

The #1 seed Mustangs (8-2) hosted the #4 seed Polk Co. Wildcats (6-4), the game was held at the Sequoyah High School at 12:00 noon. In week 8, our Loudon Mustangs defeated the Wildcats by the score of 18 to nothing.

The 'Stangs were in a "Funk", it was a strange game. For three and a half quarters, the Mustangs shot themselves in the foot time and time again. The only good news, was the 'Cats weren't doing any better. Mid-way through the fourth period, Loudon gained field position and punched in a nine yard touchdown by #3 Jake Brown. #59 Keith "Golden Toe" Hensley executed a perfect on-sides kick. The kick was recovered by #7 Eric Newman, first and 10 Mustangs. Finally in control of the game, all the Mustangs had to do was run a few plays while running out the clock, and take their six point victory. Disaster struck when the Wildcats scooped and scored on a 52 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. To force overtime, the 2-pt. conversion was stuffed by #20 Luke Newman. Regulation ended with the score tied at six points each.

On to Overtime. Each team got four plays from the 10 yard line. The first O.T. period went scoreless. In the 2nd O.T. each team scored and added the 2-pt. conversion. Polk Co. threw a pass for their points; #27 Wade Plemons pounded in from the four yard line and put up the extra points himself. Still tied, now at 14 points each. The third O.T. period also went scoreless. The fourth O.T. had the Mustangs on defense first, on fourth down, #5 Matthew Wallace broke up a pass to shut down the Polk scoring opportunity. Head Coach Scott Newman called on #27 Wade Plemons for two straight plays. Gaining five yards on first down, set up the game winning dive by Plemons. Touchdown Mustangs! The final score was 20-14, in four overtimes, Loudon Mustangs. The offensive player of the game was #27 Wade Plemons, #55 David Lee "The Dozer" Haskins earned defensive honors. The Mustangs had 289 yards rushing on 59 carries for (2) TD's and (1) 2-pt. conversion; and three pass completions for 19 yards. Total offense was 308 yards.

The Championship Game will pair the Loudon Mustangs (9-2) against the Etowah Knights (9-2). The Knights defeated the Mustangs 20-6 in week No. 4.

Offense:
• #10 Nick Brown: 16 carries for 67 yards
• #27 Wade Plemons: 23 carries for 120 yards, (2) TD's, (1) 2-pt. conv, and (2) catches for 13 yards
• #39 Jeffery Nichols: 1 reception for 6 yards
• #4 Zack Franklin: 2 carries for 6 yards and 3 of 7 for 19 yards passing
• #3 Jake Brown: 18 carries for 96 yards and (1) TD

Defense:
• #54 Alex Lennex: 5 tackles and a fumble recovery
• #55 David Lee Haskins: 6 tackles and a fumble recovery
• #7 Eric Newman: 3 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a sack
• #27 Wade Plemons: 4 tackles and a fumble recovery
• #39 Jeffery Nichols: 3 tackles
• #6 Josh Thompson: 2 tackles
• #7 Eric Newman: 1 tackle
• #66 Hayden Cash: 1 tackle
• #23 Cody Choate: 2 tackles and a pass break-up
• #5 Matthew Wallace: 6 tackles and a pass break-up
• #4 Zack Franklin: 3 tackles
• #3 Jake Brown: 3 tackles, a pass break-up, and a fumble recovery
• #20 Luke Newman: 2 tackles and a fumble recovery
• #72 Brandon Whitfield: 1 tackle

Final score, 20-14, Loudon Mustangs (9-1), in four overtime periods.

#27 Wade Plemmons offensive MVP and #55 David Lee Haskins defensive MVP.

#3 Jake Brown sees the endzone and was not denied the TD for his efforts.