2004 Loudon vs. Sweetwater

Redskins Lose to Wildcats, 32-14

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

Scoring Summary
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
LHS	0	14	0	0	14
OPP	6	12	6	8	32

On Friday, September 24th, the Loudon Redskins hosted the Sweetwater Wildcats at Dukes Field. This non-regional contest will be the 53rd meeting between these two schools. The Redskins hold a 32-18-2 margin in this rivalry. Next season, due to regional re-alignment, Sweetwater might be the only team on the current 2004 Redskin schedule that will be a regional game next season. Chances are we will join region (2-2A) with teams like Sweetwater, Alcoa, Oliver Springs, Rockwood, etc...

The Captain for the Redskins was senior DB/WR #80 Josh McQueen. Loudon won the toss, and deferred until the second half.

To start the game, Sweetwater got a 22 yard kick off return, and started on the 26 yard line. A 13 play drive ate up 7:29 of the 1st period and added six points to the scoreboard with a 10 yard touchdown pass. The extra point kick was wide left. #34 Charlie Hampton returned the kick off six yards to the 25 yard line. The ’Skins rushed three times, and earned a first down. On the next play quarterback, #4 Cody Fritts was sacked for -8 yards. In punt formation, Fritts boomed a 46 yard punt, and with a -4 yard return, the ‘Cats were pinned on their own 22 yard line. The “Big Red Wall” did their job, and forced a punt. #21 Cory Fritts returned the punt 20 yards to the Sweetwater 36 yard line. With good field position, the Redskins marched down field. #24 Josh Hawkins added 17 yards. Then, on a blast up the middle, #44 Mathew Packett, bolted into the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown! The snap was short, and the extra point attempt was smothered. #7 Chris Melton busted a 60 yard kick off return to the Redskin 25 yard line. Sweetwater would score four players later (failed 2-pt. conversion attempt). On the ensuing kick off, Hawkins got a 48 yard return, but Loudon stalled out and punted. The Sweetwater QB, Mason was back to pass, #21 Cory Fritts stepped in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the pass. With a 29 yard return, the ‘Skins were in business on the 49 yard line. Disaster struck on the third play, a screen pass was picked-off by defensive lineman #67 Chris Burnette, who took it all the way for a Wildcat score, a lineman’s dream. With only 1:37 left before the half, the score is 18 to six, Sweetwater. The Redskins were three and out, and punted down to the 16 yard line. With less than a minute to go, the ‘Cat QB fumbled the football. Scooping and scoring was none other than #44 Mathew Packett. For the conversion attempt, “The Swinging Gate” play to #3 Brandon Dixon was good for two points. The first half comes to a close, with Sweetwater leading 18-14.

In a ceremony at half time, the stadium was 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.

Sweetwater would score twice more, one each in the third and fourth quarters. #1 Jeffery Moore caught a 42 yard touchdown pass, and #20 Nisha Smith added a six yard score. Loudon had several big defensive plays: #81 Adam Russell blocked a pass and had a sack for -7 yards, #8 Tyler Campbell blocked a punt, #21 Cory Fritts intercepted a pass, #15 Yoni Espinoza had a TD saving tackle on a kick off, and #80 Josh McQueen is leading the team in tackles. A bright spot for the Redskins was #44 Mathew Packett, he scored both touchdowns; a 20 yard blast up the middle for a touchdown and returned a fumble from the one yard line for the other score. The final score was 32-14, Sweetwater Wildcats.

LHS
• Rushing: 27 carries for 71 yds, (1) TD, and (1) 2-pt. conversion
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: 11 rushes for 41 yds
  • #7 Mark “T” Harrison: 1 rush for -1 yd
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: 3 carries for 9 yds and (1) 2-pt. conversion
  • #4 Cody Fritts: 10 carries for -4 yds
  • #44 Mathew Packett: 3 carries for 25 yds and (1) TD
  • #34 Charlie “Get Back” Hampton: 1 rush for 1 yd
  • #8 Tyler Campbell: 1 rush for 1yd
• Passing: 5 of 17 for 111 yds, and (1) INT (QB #4 Cody Fritts)
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: (1) reception for -2 yds
  • #80 Josh McQueen: (1) reception for 6 yds
  • #21 Corry Fritts: (3) receptions for 44 yds
• Misc:
  • #15 Yoni Espinoza: (1) extra point kick (bad snap), no good, smothered; a TD saving tackle on a kick off
  • #8 Tyler Campbell: (2) K.O. returns for 22 yds, blocked a punt
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: (2) K.O. returns for 68 yds
  • #40 Kyle Makowski: (1) K.O. return for 8 yds
  • #34 Charlie “Get Back” Hampton: (1) K.O. return for 6 yds
  • #80 Josh McQueen: solid tackling and pass defense
  • #81 Adam Russell: sack for -8 yds and blocked a pass
  • #21 Cory Fritts: INT, returned it 29 yds, good tackling
• 1st Downs: 5
• Penalties: 2 for -15 yards
• Punts: 5 for a 41.8 yard avg
• Fumbles: 1, lost 0

Sweetwater Wildcats
• Rushing: 43 carries for 169 yds and (2) TD’s
  • #4 Craig Latham: 14 rushes for 75 yds and (1) TD
  • #41 Malachi Blomstrom: 9 rushes for 33 yds
  • #20 Nisha Smith: 3 rushes for 38 yds and (1) TD
• Passing: 4 of 6 for 70 yds, (2) TD’s, (1) 2-pt. conv, and (1) INT
  • #1 Jeffery Moore: (2) receptions for 56 yds and (1) TD
  • #4 Craig Latham: (1) reception for 10 yds and (1) TD
  • #21 Dustin Latham: (1) reception for 3 yds and (1) 2-pt. conv
• Misc:
  • #67 Chris Burnette: (1) INT, returned it 48 yds for (1) TD
• 1st Downs: 12
• Penalties: 7 for -47.5 yards
• Punts: 4 for a 25.3 yard avg
• Fumbles: 2, lost 1

The Loudon “War Party” will host the Fulton Falcons this Friday (10-1-04); game time is 7:30 pm, at “Coach “Chig” Ratledge Stadium, home of Dukes Field”.