2005 Redskins vs. Polk County
September 23, 2005: Game 5 - Week 5
Loudon 34 - Polk County 12
Photos by Jammie Graves - Article by Jeff McQueen
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Loudon Redskins 10 3 14 7 34
Polk Co. Wildcats 0 6 0 6 12
This non-regional contest will be a good test for the Redskins; the Polk Co. Wildcats (4-0, 3-3A) are purported to be big and fast. We hold a 4-0 record all time verses Polk Co.; the last meeting was a first round playoff game resulting in a 28-7 Redskin victory in 1986. Ushered into their new school a couple of years ago, the new Larry G. Davis Football Complex was inaugurated on September 2, 2005 with a big win over regional rival East Ridge. The Wildcats are 2-0 on their new field, and they have no intention on letting the Redskins ruin their homecoming festivities. But Loudon has other plans.
Out for the coin toss were Captains #3 Brandon Dixon, #4 Cody Fritts, #7 Mark Harrison, and #51 Clay Matlock. Loudon won the toss and wanted the ball.
With the #8 Tyler Campbell kick-off return of 11 yards, the Big Red was in business on the 23 yard line. The Redskin offense tested the mettle of the Polk Co. defense on the first series of the ball game, an eight play drive resulted in a #33 Justin Blevins field goal of 32 yards! Five rushes by #24 Josh Hawkins for 28 yards, a Cory Fritts reception for16 yards, and a #5 Taylor Eldridge catch for six yards plus 15 yards for a late hit was all it would take. The clock shows 8:46 left in the first quarter and a 3-0 Loudon lead.
The Big Red Wall promptly sent the Wildcats three and out. After a 38 yard punt with no return, the ‘Skins pitched camp on the 24 yard line. Quarterback #4 Cody Fritts airs it out to his twin brother #21 Cory Fritts who catches the ball over his shoulder in full stride. The Polk Co. safety made up ground and drug Fritts down on the three yard line, a 74 yard completion. The Redskins score their first touchdown of the game with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter on Hawkins’ three yard plunge.
Polk Co. was again three and out. QB #16 Kevin Trew was harassed by #53 Jimmy McQueen and #59 Bo Harrison. Trew finally got off a decent pass and it was batted down by #44 Matthew Packett! After the 23 yard Wildcat punt the Loudon offense returned the favor.
The Wildcats finally got a drive started. Beginning on their own 37 yard line, it took nine plays and 4:54 for the ‘Cats to dent the score board. The first play of the second period was a 23 yard pass to #40 Joey Lowe for the touchdown, the extra point kick sailed wide right.
The ensuing kick-off was returned by Hawkins up to the 32 yard line, a 27 yard return. Six plays later it was fourth down and seven from the Wildcat 47 yard line. The Redskins are in punt formation, the ball is snapped to the up back Hawkins who bolts up the middle for a 13 yard gain! The drive continues down to the 21 yard line before stalling out. The kicking team races onto the field to attempt a 37 yard field goal. The kick is up, it looks a little short… the ball hits the cross bar and bounces over! Blevins makes good on his second field goal of the game.
Polk Co. punts back to Loudon, but QB Fritts throws an interception. The Wildcats take over on the 16 yard line and have 2:47 left on the clock. Time expires with Polk Co. still on their side of the 50 yard line. The score at half time is 13-6, Redskins.
It is crucial that the Redskins stop Polk Co. on the first series of the second half! All the Wildcats have to do is drive down and score and then go for two. Then, we’re in a Cat fight for the remainder of the ball game.
With a coverage break-down, Polk Co. returned the kick-off down to the Redskin 26 yard line! Sometimes this team does things the hard way. Anyway, the Big Red Wall was up to the task at hand. Two rushes yielded zero yards thanks to Matlock, Bo Harrison, and #61 Tim Ramsey. An incomplete pass on third down, left the ‘Cats with fourth down and ten from the Redskin 27 yard line. Out comes the trickery …a half back pass thrown back to the QB Trew, but it was broken up by #81 Daniel Laughlin! First and ten Big Red - going the other way!
After a nine play drive bogged down, Loudon punted down to the 15 yard line. The Wildcats desperately need to get something going, they earned a first down, and then disaster struck. QB Trew was back to pass, he bobbled the ball into the air; it was snatched by Laughlin who raced into the end zone from 16 yards out. Touchdown Redskins!
Back with the football on the 28 yard line, the Wildcats seemed to be getting it together. #32 Kevin Hamby broke one for 21 yards and a first down, three plays later the pigskin is laying on the ground. Alertly pouncing on that ball was none other than Daniel Laughlin!
Loudon took over on the Polk 38 yard line with 53.2 seconds left in the third stanza. One play was all it would take; Hawkins goes all the way to the county line - a 62 yard touchdown (Blevins kick)! The rout is on; the Redskins have put up 14 unanswered points in the third to pull away 27-6!
In the fourth quarter, Polk punts - again. Sophomore Sensation #8 Tyler Campbell races 44 yards for the final Redskin score of the game (Campbell has an 8.62 yds/carry avg in five games this season. Rushing 37 times for 319 yds and (3) TD’s). The Polk Co. starters would score against out underclassmen, but hey - their pride was hurt. The celebration was on! The Loudon Redskins have soundly defeated the #5 3A team in the State of Tennessee by a score of 34-12! This loss was the first defeat suffered at the new Larry G. Davis Football Complex plus their Homecoming was ruined.
In his usual post game address of the team, a very animated Coach Harig said, “We came in here against the #5 team in the State on their homecoming and stepped it up in the second half! You showed for the young guys that’s why we lift, that’s why we run, and that’s why we do things starting in January! For moments like this, right here right now. When you take a team that believes they can beat you and you break them down! THAT’S BREAKIN’ ‘EM DOWN! That was big time - BIG TIME… good job!”
The final score was 34-12, Redskins. Go Big Red!
LOUDON REDSKINS (Region 2-2A)
Offense:
Rushing: 36 carries for 236 yds and (3) TD’s
#24 Josh Hawkins: (23) carries for 150 yds and (2) TD’s
#8 Tyler Campbell: (6) carries for 84 yds and (1) TD
#3 Brandon Dixon: (1) carry for 1 yd
#4 Cody Fritts: (1) carry for 3 yds
#9 Brandon Johnson: (1) carry for -1 yd
#21 Cory Fritts: (1) carry for 2 yds
#20 Tom Cruz: (3) carries for -4 yds
Passing:
#4 Cody Fritts: 6 of 10 for 123 yds and (1) INT
#21 Cory Fritts: (2) receptions for 90 yds
#10 Ryan Queen: (1) reception for 8 yds
#3 Brandon Dixon: (1) reception for 9 yds
#87 Wiley Brakebill: (1) reception for 9 yds
#5 Taylor Eldridge: (1) reception for 7 yds
Return Yards:
#21 Cory Fritts: (3) punt returns for 21 yds
#80 Gregory Vault: (1) punt return for 5 yds
#24 Josh Hawkins: (1) K-O return for 27 yds
#8 Tyler Campbell: (1) K-O return for 11 yds
Kicking:
Extra Points: #33 Justin Blevins (4) extra points
Field Goals: #33 Justin Blevins (2) field goals of 32 and 37 yards
Defense:
#44 Matthew Packett: (5) tackles and (1) pass break-up
#53 Jimmy McQueen: (6) tackles and (1) QB hurry
#51 Clay Matlock: (7) tackles
#81 Daniel Laughlin: (4) tackles, (1) pass break-up, (2) fumble
recoveries, returned one of the fumbles for a 16 yard touchdown
#21 Cory Fritts: (2) tackles
#10 Ryan Queen: (2) tackles
#50 Daniel Hampton: (2) tackles
#61 Tim Ramsey: (4) tackles
#5 Taylor Eldridge: (5) tackles
#7 Mark Harrison: (7) tackles
#86 Jeremy Johnson: (1) tackle
#69 Raymond Wagner: (1) tackle
#2 Ben Everett: (3) tackles and recovered an on sides kick attempt
#59 Bo Harrison: (5) tackles and (1) QB hurry
#55 Tyler Roberts: (1) tackle
#79 John Paul Hackney: (2) tackles
#85 Cody Wiggins: (3) tackles
Misc:
Penalties: 6 for -35 yards
Fumbles: 2, lost 0
Punts: 3 for a 29.7 yd avg
First Downs: 14
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Polk Co. Wildcats (Region 3-3A)
Rushing: 43 carries for 139 yds and (1) TD
#16 Kevin Trew: (5) carries for -7 yds and (1) TD
#32 Kevin Hamby: (20) carries for 102 yds
#40 Joey Lowe: (8) carries for 25 yds
#13 Haden Browder: (3) carries for 1 yd
#20 Josh Collins: (2) carries for 8 yds
#18 Cory Biggs: (2) carries for 0 yds
Passing:
#16 Kevin Trew: 4 of 13 for 81yds for (1) TD and (0) INT’s
#40 Joey Lowe: (1) reception for 23 yds and (1) TD
#13 Haden Browder: (1) reception for 14 yds
#32 Kevin Hamby: (1) reception for 1 yd
#14 Zack Jones: (1) reception for 43 yds
Misc:
Penalties: 5 for -45 yards
Fumbles: 4, lost 2
Punts: 5 for a 36.0 yard avg
First Downs: 9
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