2005 Loudon vs. Happy Valley
First Round Playoff Game - November 4th, 2005
Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Loudon Redskins 14 7 0 13 34
Happy Valley Warriors 6 0 0 6 12
This is the first playoff game the Redskins (9-1) have qualified for in five years; in 2000 the ‘Skins lost in the 2nd round to Alcoa 26-2. That Alcoa loss ended a string of seven consecutive playoff appearances by the Redskins. Let’s look at what it takes to win a State Championship these days. First, enter regional play as one of the top four seeds in your respective region. Keep winning! It’s single elimination from here on out. To make a long story short, it requires winning four preliminary rounds of playoff games to land a seat in the championship game with a chance to win the ultimate prize… a “Golden Football”.
This is also the first ever meeting between the Redskins and the Warriors. It would seem that Happy Valley is just happy to be in the playoffs this season. Last year the Warriors were 7-3, and regressed to 5-5 this season. It’s been widely circulated that Region 1 (Happy Valley’s region) is one of the weakest regions and that Region 2 (Loudon’s region) is one of the strongest regions in the state. Let’s kick-off and find out.
Out for the coin toss were Redskin Captains: #3 Brandon Dixon, #4 Cody Fritts, #7 Mark Harrison, and #51 Clay Matlock. The Redskins won the toss and wanted the football.
The opening kick-off set the tone for the game, and the Big Red Offense set the tempo! After #8 Tyler Campbell’s 42 yard return of the Warrior kick-off, the offense couldn’t wait to get in the huddle. The ROTC cannon sounded off four plays later! Although it was 4th down and seven, with the football on the 29 yard line there wasn’t much of a gamble. The Fritts to Fritts connection was good for a 29 yard touchdown pass! The extra point kick was shanked wide left. It only took 1:44 for the Redskins to score on the opening drive.
The take on Happy Valley’s offense is that they are pass happy. The mix on their first series was six out of nine plays were passes, however they were all incomplete. With the help of a pass interference penalty, the warriors gained a first down. But, facing 4th and 13 Happy Valley elects to punt.
Fair caught on the 19 yard line by #21 Cory Fritts, the Reds are again open for business. #24 Josh Hawkins grinds ahead for nine, but a procedure penalty pushes the ball back to first and 15 on the 15. Didn’t matter, Mr. Hawkins went out for a little run to stretch his legs and took the football along for the ride. And what a ride it was, 86 yards later that football was happier than a dog riding in the back of a pick-up truck! Touchdown Josh Hawkins! Touchdown Loudon Redskins! Hawkins also made good on the 2-point conversion. 14-0, Big Red!
The Warriors had an epiphany… Hey we’re two down and it’s early in the 1st quarter, we better do something – and quick. Getting a good kick-off return of 29 yards put the Warriors in excellent field position on the 42 yard line. The QB #10 Todd Caldwell completed two passes for 16 yards, the remaining damage came on the ground. #22 Will Lowe blasted into the end zone from the nine yard line. The extra point attempt was blocked by #21 Cory Fritts!
On the ensuing kick-off, the Warriors pooch kicked. The Reds were caught napping, #27 Logan Birchfield caught the kick in full stride and stepped out of bounds on the Redskin 41 yard line. During this drive #2 Ryan Garland went down with a neck or head injury, he was carted off by ambulance. Garland was treated and released from Ft. Loudoun Medical Center with a sprained neck; he was back in time to travel home with his team. After play resumed, Happy Valley turned the ball over on downs.
The score of 14-6 would also be the score at the end of the first quarter.
In the second period Loudon was stopped on downs, and Happy Valley quick punted on third down. The Redskins followed suite and also punted. The Warriors took over on the 14 yard line and earned a first down, but QB Caldwell went to the well one too many times as #86 Jeremy Johnson (who has had an excellent season at Rover with 39 tackles) stepped in front of the intended receiver and added an interception to his resume’. After Johnson’s 10 yard return, the Reds set up on the 49 yard line. With just 1:53 left on the first half clock, wouldn’t it be sweet to pound one in before intermission? In a mistake filled drive that featured a block in the back and a holding penalty, the ‘Skins did just that. Hawkins scored from the 17 yard line, but the holding penalty spotted the ball back to the 16 yard line. A dive by Hawkins moved the chains down to the six, 1st and goal. From there, the Fritts to Fritts pitch and catch was good for the second time tonight, a six yard touchdown pass! The extra point kick was good by Cody Fritts. There was still 29 seconds to spare.
Going into the locker room, the Redskins are sporting a 21-6 half time lead.
The third stanza was very ho-hum, almost boring. The Redskin defense did force the Warriors into punting on their first possession and #10 Ryan Queen intercepted an errant pass to thwart another Happy Valley drive.
Picking up action in the 4th quarter, the Warriors take over on the 50 yard line after a 42 yard ‘Skin punt. On the first play Lowe, the workhorse of the Happy Valley team, is hammered for a two yard loss by tackle #53 Jimmy McQueen. After a 21 yard pass completion, the Warriors nickeled and dimed their way down to the four yard line. Lowe powered in from there. Cory Fritts broke up the pass play on the 2-point attempt. The score is now 21-12.
Loudon would score twice in rapid succession; 1:53 was all the time that was required. #3 Brandon Dixon would not be denied and busted an 18 yard touchdown power play leaving several Warriors strewn in his wake! Sandwiched between four Happy Valley plays that gained zero yards, #7 Mark Harrison tasted the end zone from the one and what a sweet taste it was. #9 Brandon Johnson made good on the extra point kick.
The triumvirate of Cody Fritts, Josh Hawkins, and Brandon Dixon were just too much for the Warriors to overcome.
And with the final score of 34-12, the Redskins (10-1) happily continue post season play! The Loudon war party will host “Oliver Springs Take II” at “Chig Ratledge Stadium, Dukes Field Home of the Loudon Redskins” this Friday evening. Under TSSAA guidance, this second round playoff game will start at 7:00pm.
PLAY-OFFS 2005, WE’RE BACK!!! Go Big Red!
LOUDON REDSKINS (Region 2-2A)
Offense:
Rushing: 34 carries for 288 yds, (3) TD’s, and (1) 2-pt. conv
#24 Josh Hawkins: (16) carries for 196 yds, (1) TD,
and (1) 2-pt. conv
#3 Brandon Dixon: (5) carries for 35 yds and (1) TD
#4 Cody Fritts: (4) carries for -7 yds
#21 Cory Fritts: (3) carries for 36 yds
#7 Mark Harrison: (1) carry for 1 yd and (1) TD
#8 Tyler Campbell: (5) carries for 27 yds
Passing:
#4 Cody Fritts: 7 of 13 for 108 yds and (2) TD’s
Receptions:
#21 Cory Fritts: (4) receptions for 75 yds and (2) TD’s
#5 Taylor Eldridge: (1) reception for 8 yds
#3 Brandon Dixon: (1) reception for 9 yds
#10 Ryan Queen: (1) reception for 16 yds
Kicking:
#4 Cody Fritts: (1) extra point kick
#9 Brandon Johnson: (1) extra point kick
Return Yards:
#8 Tyler Campbell: (1) K-O return for 42 yds
#21 Cory Fritts: (1) punt return for 21 yds
Defense:
#44 Matthew Packett: (8) tackles and a QB hurry
#21 Cory Fritts: (3) tackles and (4) pass break-ups
#7 Mark Harrison: (2) tackles and (4) pass break-ups
#51 Clay Matlock: (6) tackles
#81 Daniel Laughlin: (2) tackles, (1) sack for -13 yds,
and tipped a pass
#5 Taylor Eldridge: (4) tackles and (1) pass break-up
#50 Daniel Hampton: (7) tackles and (1) pass break-up
#10 Ryan Queen: (1) INT
#53 Jimmy McQueen: (3) tackles
#61 Tim Ramsey: (4) tackles
#55 Tyler Roberts: (1) tackle
#2 Ben Everett: (1) tackle
#86 Jeremy Johnson: (3) tackles, (1) INT returned 10 yds,
and (2) pass break-ups
#8 Tyler Campbell: (1) tackle and (1) pass break-up
Misc:
First Downs: 15
Punts: 3 for a 45 yard average
Fumbles: 0
Penalties: 9 for -90 yards
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Happy Valley Warriors (Region 1-2A)
Rushing: 34 carries for 91yds and (2) TD’s
#22 Will Lowe: (27) carries for 83 yds and (2) TD’s
#2 Ryan Garland: (1) carry for -3 yds
#4 Tyler Blevins: (3) carries for 20 yds
#10 Todd Caldwell: (3) carries for -9 yds
Passing: 15 of 40 for 114 yds and (2) INT’s
#10 Todd Caldwell: 15 of 38 for 111 yds and (2) INT’s
#4 Tyler Blevins: 1 of 2 for 3 yds
Receptions:
#1 Daniel Shankle: (3) receptions for 13 yds
#2 Ryan Garland: (3) receptions for 16 yds
#12 Greg Swafford: (6) receptions for 76 yds
#22 Will Lowe: (3) receptions for 9 yds
Misc:
First Downs: 15
Punts: 3 for a 33 yard avg
Fumbles: 2, lost 0
Penalties: 5 for -32 yards
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