ARTICLE BY JAMES HINTE
In spite of the heat the 2007 football jamboree definitely had the feeling of fall football as the Dragons opened up the season with the strong support of students and parents against the Bolton Wildcats. After an early season lackluster scrimmage against Bolton the Dragons came back with a strong performance on both sides of the ball defeating the Wildcats 7-0.
The Dragons won the coin toss and elected to start on offense. With the ball on the 35 yard line, quarterback Gabe Bouldien handed off to Bart Smith who ran behind the block of Troy Walther for a quick two yard gain. On the next play Eric Smith followed the block of Mike Mancini and cut right for a six yard pick up. On third and two from the 43 yard line Bouldien pushed his way through the right side behind Trevor Toll and John Huffman for six yards and a Dragon first down. On first and ten from the 48 yard line Al Burriss went in motion and took the toss from Bouldien running outside for a five yard gain. An incidental face mask penalty tacked on five more yards for another first down. Bart Smith took the next hand off out of the wishbone behind John Huffman for a nine yard run. On the next play the Dragons attempted their first pass play from scrimmage and Bouldien connected with Adam White for a five yard gain in the right flat putting the ball on the Bolton 28 yard. The drive ended with a fumble and Bolton took over on the turnover at their 27 yard line.
The Dragons defense came out focused and on the Wildcats first play they threw long down the left side however the receiver was covered closely by Eric Smith and the pass was incomplete. On second and ten Bolton ran off tackle and the running back was hit immediately by Keaton Stiggers and with the help of John Huffman was stopped for a short two yard gain. Out of the shotgun, on third and a long eight, Bolton sent three receivers to their right side and attempted a screen to the right flat that was over thrown setting up fourth and long at the 30 yard line. Stiggers nearly blocked the punt and Drew Moyes called for a fair catch at the Dragons 44 yard line.
On first down Bouldien ran a quarterback keeper behind Mancini for a quick gain of eight yards out to the Bolton 48 yard line. The next play was disrupted by the Bolton defense and Bouldien was dropped for a two yard loss. With third down and four from the 50, Bouldien handed off to Grayson Hinte who sidestepped through a hole created by Nathan Ring for nine yards and another first down. With the ball on the Bolton 41 Moyes went in motion left and took the pitch from Bouldien for a run around the left side. Following the blocking of Eric Smith Moyes picked up five yards. Bart Smith picked a short gain on second down and on third down Bouldien and Hinte ran a option to the left side with Bouldien running down to the 25 yard line. The next play produced the highlight of the night as Bouldien took a quick two step drop and lofted a pass over the defense where Andrew Richmond ran underneath the pass for a completion and a 25 yard touchdown. The extra point was good by Taylor Nelson and at the 5:19 mark the Dragons were up 7-0.
Bolton started their second possession with a run up the middle but again the Dragons defensive line stopped the play and dropped the runner for a two yard loss. On second and twelve, Bolton threw the ball out to the right side for a completion however corner back John White immediately tackled the receiver for a short two yard gain. On third and ten the Wildcat’s QB dropped back to pass but was chased out of the pocket and scrambled for a six yard pick up as Zach Jackson came in to make the tackle. The following punt was downed at the Dragon’s 35 yard line.
On first down Bouldien handed off to Hinte however the play was disrupted by Bolton in the backfield and Hinte struggled to get back near the line of scrimmage. On second down Eric Smith followed the blocking of Ring and Troy Walther and ran up the middle for ten yards. On third and short Burriss ran to the left side and picked up seven yards for another first down. Bouldien threw on the next play to Adam White who was in tight coverage and the pass was incomplete. On second and ten the Wildcats defense lined up in the neutral zone for a five yard penalty setting up second and five from the 43. Eric Smith was stopped for no gain on second down and on third down Bouldien and Hinte ran an option to the right side however Bouldien was dropped before making the pitch and time ran out before the Dragons could run another play.
The dragons controlled the ball on offense running twenty plays and picking up six first downs while the defense held Bolton to only six plays from scrimmage and no first downs. Collectively the Dragons running game picked up 75 yards for the quarter and Bouldien completed two of three passing attempts and one 25 yard touchdown to Andrew Richmond. Come and watch the Dragons begin play against Central HS on Friday, 8/31/07 @ Collierville's Herman Osteen Field. |
