Lenoir City Panthers vs. Loudon Redskins
3rd Game, Week 3 September 9th, 2005
Photos by Jammie Graves - Article by Jeff McQueen
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Loudon Redskins 15 7 12 13 47
Lenoir City Panthers 0 13 0 7 20
The “Battle of the Bridge”… that says it all! No matter what the records are, you can throw them out the window, when Loudon and Lenoir City strap it on. This years offering would be no exception. With this the 79th meeting between these two schools, the Redskins hold a slim 40-38 advantage in this heated rivalry (before this contest). And with the “Battle” coming to an end? The stakes are that much higher.
This is the 11th “Battle of the Bridge”, starting in 1995; with Loudon leading in that new series 6-4. A traveling trophy and banner were added to the winnings, with the victor retaining possession until next year’s game. The festivities are officially underway when the visitors run the ceremonial game ball all the way to the host school. This game ball is then used for the opening kick off and is then retired until next year’s contest.
Also the schools compete in a food drive to benefit the “Good Samaritan Center”, with locations in Loudon and Lenoir City. The Redskins won the food drive with 32,160 pounds (45 1/2 lbs per student) verses 30,255 pounds (24 lbs per student) for the Panthers. The real winners are the families of Loudon County who will benefit from these efforts. With 62415 #’s collected this game, 48144 #’s in 2004, 33000 #’s in 2003, and 18935 #’s in 2002 brings the four year grand total to 162,494 pounds of food! Great job both schools.
Statistically, history has proven that when the home team wins the food drive, they are also victorious on the gridiron!
Out for the coin toss were Redskin Captains #3 Brandon Dixon, #7 Mark Harrison, #10 Ryan Queen, and #21 Cory Fritts. The Panthers won the toss and wanted the ball.
Loudon kicked-off and with a 15 yard return, #23 Rommell Hightower had the Panthers 1st and 10 on the 30 yard line. Hightower rushed two times for five yards. After an incomplete pass, LC was forced to punt on their first possession. The defensive attack was led by #81 Daniel Laughlin, #44 Matthew Packett, #21 Cory Fritts, and #7 Mark Harrison. The punter for the Panthers is #12 Jesse Johnson who launched a 52 yarder.
With no return, the ‘Skins were pinned deep in their own territory on the 13 yard line. #24 Josh Hawkins rushed three times for eight yards, into punt was #4 Cody Fritts, who got off a 28 yard punt. Hustling down in coverage was #69 Raymond Wagner with the tackle.
Lenoir had excellent field position on the Redskin 38 yard line. Back to pass, the Panther quarterback #4 Zack Cusick threw the ball right to Redskin defensive back #21 Cory Fritts. Fritts was on the move and returned the interception 16 yards up to the Redskin 41 yard line.
2:16 and five plays was all it would take for the Redskins to draw first blood. Cody Fritts to Queen was good for 28 yards and #8 Tyler Campbell ripped off 22 yards. An incomplete pass and a short run by Hawkins spotted the ball on the seven yard line. Sweeping to the right, Hawkins pulled up and lofted a pass into the end zone to #87 Wiley Brakebill. A Panther defensive back tipped the ball into the air; but Brakebill went up and came down with it. Touchdown Redskins! With the Cody Fritts point after, the score is 7-0 Big Red.
The ensuing kick-off was miss handled by Hightower, LC started with poor field position on their own six yard line. The Redskins brought the heat, back in the shot gun; Cusick was swarmed for a safety. Packett, #50 Daniel Hampton, and #61 Tim Ramsey all claim the credit for the sack. Add two more points to the score board.
Hawkins fields the kick-off on the 28 yard line, with an 11 yard return and a -10 yard penalty for a block in the back, the football is spotted on the 29 yard line. In a phalanx formation the Redskins marched down the field. Cody Fritts brings the offense up to the line of scrimmage and fires a 15 yard pass to Laughlin. Hawkins drives for 20 yards, and then #21 Cory Fritts carries the ball on a new little wrinkle that was good for 12 yards. Cody Fritts scrambles for 19 yards. That’s four first downs on four consecutive plays, not too bad for such a small under sized offensive line. From the seven yard line, Cody Fritts spots Hawkins lined up wide right. The fade route was caught with one hand by Mr. Joshua Hawkins for a touchdown! The kick failed, but the score board reads 15-0 Redskins with 2:23 left in the first quarter.
With a 28 yard return, Hightower was stopped on the 37 yard line. Packett and #79 John Paul Hackney made sure the Felines were three and out.
After another booming punt by LC’s Johnson of 45 yards, the Reds were trapped on the 12 yard line. Campbell lost two yards on the last play of the 1st quarter. The next two plays gained just one yard, it’s now fourth down and long from the six yard line. The Redskins are in punt formation, with Cody Fritts standing just inches from the back of the end zone. The ball is short snapped to Hawkins, who is standing on the goal line? Let me tell you this - whoever called that play had some big kahoonas! Hawkins slipped around the right end, in route to a 25 yard gain! That gave us a first down and some breathing room. The offense was on the move, as Hawkins gained 27 yards on first down. Quarterback Fritts was sacked on consecutive plays for minus seven yards. On third and 17, Cody Fritts throws long and is picked off.
Lenoir City has 90 yards to go and 7:39 in which to do it. The Big Red Wall has been sensational up until now. Hightower finally gets loose, 70 yards later Tyler Campbell pulls him down. On his next carry, Hightower bolts to pay dirt from the 20 yard line. With the kick, LC pulls closer at 22-7. There’s 7:39 left in the first half.
Hauling the mail, Campbell gets a 39 yard kick-off return; up to the 49 yard line. Loudon embarks on a seven play drive that only took 2:36 off of the clock. For his second score of the evening, Hawkins starts left on a necked bootleg sweep and outruns everyone to the corner.
The Panthers go 75 yards in seven plays to score. #86 Jeremy Johnson blocks the extra point attempt. The score is now 22-13.
After the kick-off was returned six yards by Loudon’s Jeremy Johnson, the ‘Skins are 77 yards away from the goal line with only 50 seconds left in the half. Everyone thought Loudon would just take a knee, but on the first play Hawkins busts one for 61 yards! After a holding penalty, Cody Fritts is intercepted in the end zone thwarting that scoring opportunity. With 17 ticks left on the clock, Lenoir City does take a knee.
In the last “Battle of the Bridge” that will be played at “Chig Ratledge Stadium, Dukes Field; your Loudon Redskins take a 22-13 lead into the locker room.
Lenoir City is set to kick-off to start the second half. Campbell is hauled down on the 10 yard line. Not a very auspicious start. But wait, on the first offensive play for Loudon, Hawkins bolts off tackle turns it up the side line and out runs the entire Lenoir City football team on his way to the end zone! The ROTC cannon booms again as it does on every Redskin score (everyone sure likes the sound of that cannon)! Counting the kick-off, 29 seconds have ticked off the clock and the Redskins have already scored. The Panthers offensive series ends with a fumble recovery by #51 Clay Matlock.
The ‘Skins march right down the field, and convert the turnover into a touchdown! On the sixth play of the drive, Campbell gives up the football after a six yard gain. Mr. Johnny on the Spot, Cory Fritts scoops up the ball on the nine yard line and goes into the end zone! Although the two point attempt failed, the Big Red now lead by the score of 34-13.
The Panthers earned a first down, but are now in down and distance trouble. Trying a fake punt of their own, LC is stopped short of the first down marker. Harrison, Ramsey, and #86 Jeremy Johnson are the disrupters.
Lenoir City stiffens and forces a Loudon punt. It’s now early in the fourth period, quarterback Cusick throws his second interception of the evening to #10 Ryan Queen. With Queen’s 23 yard return and off-setting personal foul penalties, the Redskins have the ball 1st and 10 on the Panther 13 yard line! Making quick work of the short field, Hawkins powers across from the eight yard line for his fourth touchdown in this memorable game.
The Panthers set up shop on the 36 yard line, with 9:10 left in the ball game; they shot themselves in the foot… again. Packett, who leads the team in tackles and is having an excellent senior season, adds an interception to his resume’. The LC quarterback Cusick, who has thrown interceptions on two consecutive series, throws his third interception of the game to one Matthew Packett.
Leading the team at the quarterback position is #15 Blake McNew. With 7:07 still on the clock and with the ball on the 35 yard line, McNew’s instructions were to run some clock and play mistake free football. After a couple of plays, McNew hands off to Campbell. In less than 10 seconds Tyler Campbell is streaking down the sideline for a 60 yard touchdown! The score is now 47-13 your Loudon Redskins!
Lenoir City would score on our underclassmen - but no one seemed to mind, the celebration was already in full swing. The Loudon Redskins have de-fanged and de-clawed the Lenoir City Panthers. Coach Harig was the first to receive the “Winners Water”!
In his post game address to the team, Coach Harig said, “Gentlemen, for you seniors tonight’s victory will last you a life time, enjoy it tonight…tomorrow we start preparing for Alcoa!”
My senior year (1974) included a 42-0 shellacking of Lenoir City, others don’t have such pleasant memories: 1980 was Mr. Kent Everett’s senior year, the ‘Skins were up 14-0 at half time, and lost 24-14; 1980 was also Mr. Merritt Brakebill senior year, in an attempt to try and cheer up last year’s (2004) seniors after the 34-0 loss to LC, Mr. Brakebill stated emphatically “It’ll take some time fellows, I lost to Lenoir City my senior year and I’m not over it yet”.
In a total team victory, the Loudon Redskins set two new school records; one for total offense - 557 yards and the other an individual record - #24 Josh Hawkins rushed for 301 yards breaking Franklin Henson’s record of 296 yards vs South Green on November 3rd 2000.
Let the proclamation ring out loud and clear - that the Loudon Redskins are the undisputed 2005 Loudon County Football Champions! The feat has only happened two other times (we’ve only played Greenback three times). In 1997 and 1998 your Loudon Redskins defeated both the Greenback Cherokees and the Lenoir City Panthers.
To make it easier for the befuddled Panther fans to get back across the “Bridge”, the Loudon police officers set all our traffic signals to flashing yellow caution lights, that way the LC faithful wouldn’t have to stop at a RED light!
The final score was 47-20, Redskins. Go Big Red!
LOUDON REDSKINS (Region 2-2A)
Offense:
Rushing: 48 carries for 463 yds and (4) TD’s
#24 Josh Hawkins: (23) carries for 301 yds and (3) TD’s
#8 Tyler Campbell: (11) carries for 111 yds and (1) TD
#3 Brandon Dixon: (1) carry for 1 yd
#4 Cody Fritts: (5) carries for 10 yds
#15 Blake McNew: (2) carries for -2 yds
#20 Tom Cruz: (3) carries for 24 yds
#2 Ben Everett: (1) carry for 11 yds
#44 Matthew Packett: (1) carry for 10 yds
#21 Cory Fritts: (3) carries for 18 yds; recovered an offensive
fumble on the 9 yd line and scooped & scored for (1) TD
Passing: 9 of 12 for 94 yds and (2) INT’s
#4 Cody Fritts: 8 of 11 for 87 yds and (1) TD
#24 Josh Hawkins: 1 of 1 for 7 yds and (1) TD
(half back pass)
#21 Cory Fritts: (1) reception for 9 yds
#8 Tyler Campbell: (1) reception for 8 yds
#24 Josh Hawkins: (1) reception for 7 yds and (1) TD
#87 Wiley Brakebill: (1) reception for 7 yds and (1) TD
#10 Ryan Queen: (1) reception for 28 yds
#3 Brandon Dixon: (2) receptions for 20 yds
#81 Daniel Laughlin: (1) reception for 15 yds
Return Yards:
#21 Cory Fritts: (1) punt return for 1 yd
#24 Josh Hawkins: (2) K-O returns for 77 yds
#8 Tyler Campbell: (1) K-O returns for 39 yds
#86 Jeremy Johnson: (1) K-O return for 6 yds
Kicking:
Extra Points: #4 Cody Fritts (3) extra points
Defense:
#2 Ben Everett: (1) tackle
#44 Matthew Packett: (5) tackles and (1) INT returned for 6 yds
#21 Cory Fritts: (4) tackles and (1) INT returned for 16 yds
#7 Mark Harrison: (5) tackles
#3 Brandon Dixon: (2) tackles
#51 Clay Matlock: (3) tackles and a fumble recovery
#86 Jeremy Johnson: (3) tackles and blocked an extra point kick
#81 Daniel Laughlin: (2) tackles
#5 Taylor Eldridge: (1) tackle
#50 Daniel Hampton: (3) tackles
#10 Ryan Queen: (1) tackle and (1) INT returned for 23 yds
#82 Cody Wiggins: (1) tackle
#53 Jimmy McQueen: (3) tackles
#61 Tim Ramsey: (3) tackles
#69 Raymond Wagner: (1) tackle
#79 John Paul Hackney: (1) tackle
Misc:
Penalties: 12 for -90 yards
Fumbles: 4, lost 0
Punts: 2 for 65 yards for a 32.5 yard avg
First Downs: 26
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Lenoir City Panthers (Region 2-4A)
Rushing: 28 carries for 229 yds and (3) TD’s
#23 Rommel Hightower: (22) carries for 234 yds and (3) TD’s
#32 Brad Christian: (1) carry for 1 yd
#4 Zack Cusick: (5) carries for -6 yds
Passing: 4 of 11 for 17 yds and (3) INT’s
#12 Jesse Johnson: (1) reception for 15 yds
#23 Rommel Hightower: (2) receptions for -7 yds
#15 Chris Kelso: (1) reception for 9 yds
Misc:
Penalties: 4 for -35 yards
Fumbles: 4, lost 1
Punts: 2 for 97 yards for a 48.5 yard avg
First Downs: 7
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