2004 Loudon vs. Gibbs

Redskins Ground The Eagles, 15-14

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

Scoring Summary
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
LHS	0	0	0	15	15
OPP	0	0	6	8	14

This will be the 8th meeting between the Redskins (1-7) and Eagles (4-4). Loudon holds a 5-2 margin in the series. Last season the Big Red pounded Gibbs, 50-7. The Eagles have been unpredictable this season, they beat Kingston early in the season and last week defeated L.C. 42-35, while also loosing two non-regional games to weaker opponents. Possessing a very balanced offensive attack, Gibbs has rushed for 955 yards and passed for 1152 yards to date. Another note of interest in this Loudon/Gibbs series is that the home team has always held serve… winning the game, but that changed with this contest. Captains for the Redskins were #3 Brandon Dixon, #27 Keith Townson, #80 Josh McQueen, & #81 Adam Russell.

First, let me say this, I’ve seen some pretty poorly called games by refereeing crews; the game at L.C. in 2002 quickly comes to mind. Usually calls have a way of equaling out; rarely does a call affect the outcome of the game. But, when playoff implications were on the line, the stakes were higher. Last week, Gibbs won a big Regional match up against Lenoir City, while the ‘Skins lost a very emotional game to Kingston, 15-13. Although there is no bad blood between these two schools, intentions and emotions were high. This contest was out of control from the get go. The officials made bad call after bad call; it was not a one way street though, as Gibbs suffered their share, also. Things turned from bad to worse when an Eagles player spouted a racial slur, and was ejected. With two minutes left in the third quarter, Gibbs was kicking off. J-Hawk (Josh Hawkins) returned the kick to the 30 yard line. There was a skirmish trailing the play, a long season of frustration spilled out onto the field. Both teams had players storm the field as a melee broke out. It took the officials quite a while to regain control. When the dust settled, 10 Redskin players were ejected, while the Eagles had seven players tossed. And that’s not all… later in the fourth period; a flag was thrown for a personal foul. The Redskin player was ejected for a blow to the head. A Redskin assistant coach was ejected, for protesting that bad call. In fact the coach received two 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. All total, 20 people (players & a coach) were ejected; the officials were threatening to stop play and award Gibbs a forfeit victory. Cooler heads some how prevailed. Now let’s get started, on with the game.

Gibbs won the toss and wanted the ball. With the kick off, the Eagles are in business with the football on the 35 yard line, after a 23 yard return by #33 Shaun Lyon. To set the tone for the defense, on the first play from scrimmage, #53 Jimmy McQueen throws #33 Shaun Lyon for a three yard loss. Gibbs shows how they have amassed all those passing yards, as #7 Tyler Kitts connects with #85 Andy Shockley, who pitches to #33 Lyon for 36 yards and a first down. The old “Hook and Ladder” play. A fumble cost #11 Aaron Large, -13 yards and forced an Eagle punt. Later in the second period, the Redskins drove down and #4 Cody Fritts attempted a 24 yard field goal, it was wide left. That’s how the rest of the first half would go (swapping punts), as neither team could gain an advantage.

The second half was much like the first half… a defensive struggle. Loudon received the kick off, but punted. Gibbs tried to put together a drive, but stalled out and punted. The ‘Skins were back on offense on their own 12 yard line. Two rushes by J-Hawk gained 15 yards. A #4 Cody Fritts pass to #86 Jesse Henry was caught and fumbled. In the mad scramble for the ball, #24 J. R. Day scooped and scored from the two yard line (kick failed). It’s now 6-0, Eagles; there’s 1:56 left in the third quarter.

The Big Red started first and 10, on the 29 yard line. #8 Tyler Campbell checks in and electrifies the offense with three straight rushes for 17 yards. Then, a new weapon, #84 Taylor Eldridge slips down the middle of the field from his tight end position and grabs a 33 yard completion! #7 Mark Harrison surges ahead for four yards. QB Fritts goes back to the air and finds Eldridge for a 20 yard touchdown reception. Lined up in field goal formation, the Redskins are attempting the extra point. With the snap by #79 John Paul Hackney, hold by #2 Wiley “PM” Brakebill, and kick by #4 Cody Fritts… it’s good! There’s 9:43 left in the game, and the Big Red takes the lead 7-6! The Fritts kick off sailed into the end zone for the touchback, and the ball came out to the 20 yard line. Disaster struck on the second play. The Gibbs QB hit Lyon in the flat; he scooted down the side line for a 74 yard pitch and catch. The 2-point conversion pass completion made it 14-7, Eagles.

Loudon had 8:43 to answer. #16 Chris “Smoky” Hall brought the kick off back to the 32 yard line. An eight play drive yielded 68 yards and pay dirt. Harrison for 13 yards and #34 Charlie “Get Back” Hampton turned five straight rushes into 47 yards and a touchdown! There was 3:36 to go in the game. Kick or go for two points? Without as much as a time out to discuss the situation, Head Coach Harig decided to go for the win. On a toss sweep to Hampton, the ’Skins take the lead, 15-14. Now it’s time for defense. Gibbs tosses a couple of incomplete passes, and then the 45 yards in penalties (when the coach was ejected) are tacked on. The Eagles have now maneuvered down to the Redskin 24 yard line. It’s fourth down and eight, watch out for a fake. The kick is up, on line … but falls short. There’s only 0:55 seconds left in the game. Loudon lined up in the victory formation and took a knee twice to ice the game. The Final score is 15 to 14, Redskins.

Loudon Redskins
• Rushing: 35 carries for 210 yds, (1) TD, and (1) 2-pt. conversion
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: 16 rushes for 94 yds
  • #8 Tyler Campbell: 4 rushes for 16 yds
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: 2 rushes for 12 yds
  • #7 Mark “P” Harrison: 6 rushes for 45 yds
  • #34 Charlie Hampton: 6 rushes for 48 yds, (1) TD, and (1) 2-pt. conv
  • #32 Seth Lyle: 1 rush for -5 yds
• Passing: 5 of 13 for 76 yds, (1) TD, and (2) INT’s
  • #4 Cody Fritts: 5 of 12, (1) TD, and (1) INT
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: 0 of 1 and (1) INT (half back pass)
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: 2 catches for 21 yds
  • #86 Jesse Henry: 1 catch for 2 yds
  • #84 Taylor Eldridge: 2 catches for 53 yds & (1) TD
• Misc:
  • #53 Jimmy McQueen: tackle for -3 yards
  • #4 Cody Fritts: missed a 24 yard field goal, and made (1) extra point kick
  • #81 Adam Russell: a sack
• 1st Downs: 15
• Penalties: 8 for -90 yards
• Punts: 3 for a 36.3 avg
• Fumbles: 1, lost 1

Gibbs Eagles
• Rushing: 24 carries for 69 yards
  • #33 Shaun Lyon: 14 carries for 34 yds
• Passing:
  • #7 Tyler Kitts: 12 of 23 for 185 yds, (0) INT’s , & (1) TD
  • #81 T. J. Smith: 2 catches for 5 yds
  • #85 Andy Shockley: 3 catches for 56 yds
  • #33 Shaun Lyon: 3 catches for 118 yds and (1) TD
  • #40 Logan Dockins: 1 catch for 3 yds and (1) 2-pt. conv
  • #4 Jacob Treadway: 3 catches for 16 yds
• Misc:
  • #24 J. R. Day: scooped and scored from the two yd line
• 1st Downs: 9
• Penalties: 7 for -40 yards
• Punts: 4 for a 29.7 yd avg
• Fumbles: 1, lost 0

The Loudon Redskin (2-7) “Raiding Party” will be traveling to Lenoir City on October 29th, to mix it up with the Panthers (5-4), in the annual “Battle of the Bridge” contest. This will be the final game of the 2004 season. The kick off is set for 7:30 pm.