2004 Loudon vs. Austin East

Redskins Hang Tough With #1 Team in the State, But Fall 21-0

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

Scoring Summary

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final

LHS 0 0 0 0 0

OPP 7 14 0 0 21

Due to hurricane Ivan, the Loudon Redskins, as well as most of the football teams in East Tennessee, played on Thursday night, instead of Friday. This regional contest marks a rough stretch in the Loudon schedule. Region 2-3A is comprised of the “Big Three” (Austin-East, Anderson Co., and Fulton) and everyone else. Our schedule is front loaded with these opponents. We now stand at two down, and one to go (Fulton). The ‘Skins played hard in a loss to Anderson Co., and played the Roadrunners heads-up defensively. However, we have been shut-out on the scoreboard on our last three trips to Sam Anderson Stadium. This would be the 11 meeting between these two schools. Austin-East holds a 6-4 margin in the series.

Captains for the Redskins were #3 Brandon Dixon, #54 Kyle Tallent, #80 Josh McQueen, & #86 Jesse Henry. Austin-East won the toss, and deferred until the second half.

Tyler Campbell #8, returned the opening kick off seven yards, first and 10 Big Red. Loudon earned a first down, but was forced to punt. #4 Cody Fritts got off a 33 yard punt; but A-E returned it 37 yards to the Redskin’s 14 yard line. Two plays later, A-E’s running back #32 JaRon Troy scored, with the extra point, Austin is up seven to nothing.

The second period saw A-E scoring two touchdowns. A pass from QB #2 Minefield was good to #4 Yancey, for a 61 yard score. Minefield also put up a seven yarder himself. Loudon spent the second quarter punting and playing defense. Austin was threatening to score just before the half; however the “Big Red Wall” stiffened, and gave the ball back to Fritts and company, thus thwarting the potent Austin offensive attack.

The second half was an entirely different story… your Redskins played inspired defense, forcing and recovering two ‘Runner fumbles. Consecutive pass break-ups by #80 Josh McQueen and #21 Corry Fritts gave the ball back to the offense on downs.

However, the ‘Skins stalled out themselves, and lined up to punt, the up back, #24 Josh Hawkins grabs the snap and fires a pass down field to #80 Josh McQueen, which was complete for 16 yards and the first down. The Redskins offense never really threatened, the stingy A-E defense had something to say about that. It rained the entire game (sometimes hard), but neither team seemed very affected, as the field conditions never deteriorated into a morass. “I’m proud of you”, said Head Coach Harig, “You played toe-to-toe with the #1 team in the state.” Harig added, “We had more total offense (70 yards) against them than anyone so far.” “This effort will pay dividends later on in the season” added Defensive Coordinator Brian Nichols.

Rushing: 41 carries for 55 yds
- #24 Josh Hawkins: 19 rushes for 49 yds
- #7 Mark “P” Harrison: 3 rushes for 4 yds
- #3 Brandon Dixon: 6 carries for 12 yds
- #4 Cody Fritts: 2 carries for -4 yds
- #16 Chris “Smoky” Hall: 1 carry for -6 yds
Passing: 2 of 5 for 15 yds, and (2) INTs
- #24 Josh Hawkins: (1) receptions for -1 yd
- #80 Josh McQueen: (1) reception for 16 yds (from Hawkins)
Misc:
- #8 Tyler Campbell: (3) K.O. returns for 27 yds
- #24 Josh Hawkins: (1) K.O. return for 24 yds
- #3 Brandon Dixon: sack for -7 yds
- #80 Josh McQueen: sack and a pass break-up
- #81 Adam Russell: sack for -9 yds and (2) tackles for no gain
- #21 Cory Fritts: pass break-up
- #7 Mark “P” Harrison: played solid “D”
- #84 Taylor Eldridge: recovered fumble, good play at defense end
- #51 Clay Matlock: recovered fumble
- #50 Daniel Hampton: (2) tackles for no gain
1st Downs: 3
Penalties: 4 for -25 yards
Punts: 5 for 158 yds, a 31.6 yard avg
Fumbles: 2, lost 0

Rushing: 42 carries for 197 yds, (2) TD’s, & (2) extra points
Passing: 4 of 10 for 130 yds, (1) TD, (0) INT’s, & (1) extra point
1st Downs: 18
Penalties: 8 for -45 yards
Punts: 0
Fumbles: 5, lost 2

The Loudon “War Party” will be lookin’ to skin a ‘Cat on Friday (9-24), as the Sweetwater Wildcats travel to Dukes Field. Also at half-time the stadium will be named “Coach “Chig” Ratledge Stadium”, in honor of all of Coach Ratledge’s accomplishments and contributions to Loudon and Loudon football. A long over due honor. Game time is at 7:30 pm.

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