2004 Loudon vs. Anderson County

Loudon 14 - Anderson County 30

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

On Friday, September 3rd, the Loudon Redskins hosted the Anderson Co. Mavericks at Dukes Field. This regional contest will be the sixth and final (new regions next season) meeting between the two schools, with Anderson Co. winning all previous contests. Although the Redskins were awarded a forfeit victory in 1997 (Maves used an ineligible player), the scoreboard still belonged to Anderson Co.

This was the first time in ten years that Loudon has lost their opening game (week one loss to Walker Valley, 23-8). Would the ‘Skins be able to rebound against one of the regions “Big Three”? Let’s get started. Captains for the Redskins were #80 Josh McQueen, #81 Adam Russell, #54 Kyle Tallent, & #67 Joe Webb. We won the toss, and deferred until the second half.

To start the game, #15 Yoni Espinoza kicked off. With a ten yard return, Anderson Co. started first and ten, with the ball on the 24 yard line. The first play yielded an AC ten yard run. Three consecutive runs gained another first down. But, on the next play, #80 Josh McQueen comes up with a Mave fumble! First and ten Big Red, with the ball on the 45 yard line. 55 yards, seven plays, and 3:22 were all that was needed to put the Redskins up seven to zip. The best play of the drive was a naked bootleg keeper by QB #4 Cody Fritts, which was good for 31 yards and a first down. #7 Mark Harrison blasted in from the three yard line, the combination of #55 Tyler Roberts snap, #2 Wiley Brakebill hold, and kick by #15 Yoni Espinoza was good for the extra point. Anderson recovered the on-sides kick on the 50 yard line. Six plays later, the Maves answered with a touchdown of their own. The first quarter would end with the score tied at seven each.

Loudon stalled out and punted. AC drove the ball down and scored on this possession, a one yard plunge by # 34 Chris Mount capped off the drive (kick by #14 Halcomb). Back on offense, quarterback #4 Cody Fritts completed a 14 yard pass to #24 Josh Hawkins. Fritts, however, was sacked for -11 yards, and Loudon punted again. The defense stepped up and shut down the Maves. A stop for -7 yards, a tipped pass by #84 Taylor Eldridge, and a blocked punt by Eldridge turned the ball over to the Redskins. Loudon took over on the 36 yard line, but failed to capitalize on this short field opportunity. At the mid-point of this contest, the score was Anderson Co. 14, Redskins seven.

Anderson kicked off to open the second half, with the touchback; the Redskins took possession on the 20 yard line. #3 Brandon Dixon caught a seven yard Fritts pass. And then it was off to the races, #24 Josh Hawkins cut back in route to a 74 yard touchdown streak (kick by #15 Yoni Espinoza). AC and Loudon swapped punts. The Maves were pinned down deep on their own ten yard line. A 17 play drive that started with 6:44 left in the 3rd period, and continued into the 4th stanza, culminated in another Maverick score. Loudon punted on their next possession, the “Big Red Wall” forced Anderson into down and distance trouble. They quick-kicked on fourth down, the ball landed and was downed on the five yard line. The Maverick defense tackled Redskin tailback Hawkins in the end zone for a safety on the second offense play. After the safety, Loudon kicked off from the 20 yard line. On a called on-sides attempt, #21 Corry Fritts hustled down and recovered the live ball! The ‘Skins tried to convert on forth down, but the pass was incomplete. AC took over on the 15 yard line and scored on the next play. I’ll have to say, the Loudon coaches have put together bold game plans, these first two games. Trick plays, gambling defense, on-sides kicks, going for it on forth and long are just a few examples. #74 Jake Nichols and #69 Ricky Colon were added to the “O” and “D” line rotations to keep fresh bodies in the game. Defensive standouts were #7 Mark Harrison and #84 Taylor Eldridge. The final score was 30-14, Anderson Co. Mavericks.

Loudon:
• Rushing: 30 carries for 124 yds, (2) TD’s, and (2) extra points
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: 10 rushes for 95 yds, (1) TD, and a K.O. return for 13 yds
  • #34 Charlie Hampton: 1 rush for 2 yds and a K.O. return for 16 yds
  • #7 Mark “T” Harrison: 5 rushes for 11 yds and (1) TD
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: 4 carries for 12 yds
  • #4 Cody Fritts: 9 carries for 4 yds
• Passing: 5 of 13 for 36 yds, and (0) INTs (QB #4 Cody Fritts)
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: 3 receptions for 16 yds
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: 2 receptions for 20 yds
• Misc:
  • #15 Yoni Espinoza: (2) extra point kicks
  • #16 Chris “Smoky” Hall: (1) K.O. return for 20 yds
  • #8 Tyler Campbell: (1) K.O. return for 19 yds
  • #80 Josh McQueen: (1) fumble recovery and several tackles
  • #81 Adam Russell: several tackles with (1) tackle for no gain
  • #21 Cory Fritts: Recovered on-sides kick
  • #7 Mark Harrison: good run support, sure tackler
  • #84 Taylor Eldridge: (1) tipped pass and (1) blocked punt
  • #54 Kyle Tallent: excellent long snapping on punts
• 1st Downs: 6
• Penalties: 2 for -10 yards
• Punts: 4 for 117 yards, a 29.3 yard avg
• Fumbles: 1, lost 0

Anderson County:
• Rushing: 54 carries for 282 yds, (4) TD’s, & (4) extra points
  • #25 Justin Carden: 17 rushes for 126 yds and (2) TD’s
  • #34 Chris Mount: 7 rushes for 30 yds and (1) TD
  • #33 Shane Surface: 10 rushes for 61 yds and (1) TD’s
  • #15 Cody Owens: 7 rushes for 48 yds
  • #16 Jimmy Colson: 6 rushes for 5 yds
• Passing: 2 of 5 for 50yds and (0) INT’s
• Misc: scored on a safety, 2 points
• 1st Downs: 18
• Penalties: 4 for -36.5 yards
• Punts: 3 for 60 yards, a 20 yard avg (1- blocked)
• Fumbles: 2, lost 1

It will be homecoming next Friday (9-10), as the Redskins will host the Sequoyah Chiefs at 7:30 pm here at Dukes Field.