Collierville drew the Cordova Wolves in the Saturday morning Jamboree at the Briarcrest Sports Facility. The Dragons roughed up the Wolves every way except scoring. The offense seemed to move the ball at will but failed to convert yards into touchdowns. The defense never allowed the Wolves to get started. Both lines played extremely well. The only score was when the mighty dragon defense recorded a sack and safety late in the event.

8th Grade Offense

 

This was the makeup of the scheduled game on September 11th. The Dragons again severely tested the patience of the coaches. The offense waited until late in the contest to register there very first, first down of the season. The first half was a defensive struggle with the Dragon highlights being several forced turnovers and a long punt return by Noel Moyes. The Bolton Wildcats had an imposing front line, that dominated play on both offense and defense. The dragon defense was able to neutralize the line by shooting the gaps, and being able to force mistakes resulting in turnovers.

The Bolton offense played ball control in the second half and held the ball except one play until 10 minutes had passed. Coach Fair's offense finally awoke from their long nap with a vengeance and ran off 4 quick first downs before the drive stalled with only a few minutes left in the contest. Justin Innis had several key runs and Jason Smith passed for two key completions one to Innis and one to Grant Hall in the drive. The drive stalled and Bolton got the ball on downs. Bolton was again forced to punt after three plays and an excellent punt return by Noel Moyes brought the ball back to the eight yard line with seconds remaining. The Dragons tried a pass play which was tipped and intercepted.

The fourth quarter ended with the score tied. The Dragons got the ball first in overtime, Justin Innis scored un touched on the first play and also recorded the two point conversion. Bolton in desperation had to score, they also registered an easy touchdown, but the two point conversion was met by at least six dragon tacklers and was no good.

This gave the Dragons a hard fought victory, and was a huge relief for the coaching staff.

The Dragons in a valiant effort lost a key league game that often looked like a wrestling smack down to a very aggressive Kirby Cougar team. The Kirby quarterback ran for two long touchdowns and threw for two more long scores.

The dragon defense played the rest of the team extremely well, recording many tackles behind the line and forced several turnovers. Justin Ennis, Josh DeLee, Joshua Mc Millon and Jon Lamar led the aggressive attack. The defensive line was credited with neutralizing several Kirby linemen that played above 270 pounds.

The offense was staggered early with an apparent late hit on the quarterback JJ Helton which forced him out of the game early. His replacement Garrett Hammers, did a fine job, running a solid rushing effort and short passing game for the offense. A late or non existent play whistle led to several called fumbles against the Dragons. Jon Lamar, Grant Hall, Luis Belisarrio, Trey Fitch and Sam Henderson provided the punch on offense. The offensive line playing a much larger line did there job well, and was faced with an eight man blitz on nearly every play.

Jon Lamar was badly shaken up late in the contest and was taken to the hospital for observation. The entire team stayed and supported Jon well after the game ended.

The team continues to enjoy a very strong parent and fan support even on the teams first road game of the season at the not so friendly confines of the Cougar Den. The team cheerleaders provided constant encouragement, and a solid cheering effort for the entire contest. The team enjoyed a four Dragons to one Cougar fan edge in the contest. Well done !.

The 8th Grade Dragons lost a very hard fought contest. The Dragons started the game well moving the ball into scoring position with a solid running game. Two interceptions ruined the scoring opportunities. The defensive unit lead by a strong line kept the Owls bottled up the entire first half, with the half time score tied 0 - 0.

The second half was riddled with dragon mistakes. A key defensive error on a punt coverage gave the owls the ball inside the Dragon 25. Several plays later the defense stiffened and held. On fourth and long, with the dragons looking for a fake field goal, the owls kicked a 30 yard field goal that could have been easily blocked. On the next possession, disaster struck the offense again. J J Helton playing at quarterback for the injured Jason Smith, and Garrett Hammers pitched the ball on the option into the end zone where an alert Owl fell on the ball for a touchdown.

Chris Collins in a reserve role played quarterback on the last two dragon possessions. He sparked the offense for several key first downs but was not able to lead the dragons to a score before time ran out.

Justin Ennis continues to be the offensive and defensive team leader. Trey Warren sparkled the line play. Injuries continue to hound the dragons this year, and after several hard fought games the team needs a break at Millington next week before the final two games with Houston and Germantown.

The score of the game does not indicate the dominance held by Collierville in the contest. Millington's lone score came on a long kick off return and botched coverage.

The Millington offense was held to only one first down by the stiff Dragon defense for the entire game and probably held the Trojans to negative yards for the game. The defensive line punished the Trojan offense, and repeatedly sacked them for loses on nearly every play.

The offense played extremely well with Justin Ennis recording two more touchdowns. JJ Helton also hooked up with Brad Roland on a 30 yard pass for a touchdown. Noel Moyes ran extremely hard, and Sam Henderson ran several kicks back for long gains.

The Dragons needed the confidence booster after three straight losses to teams that they should have beaten. Homecoming and the last home game is set for October 16th against Houston our neighborhood rival.

The Dragons played very well on defense. A blown defensive assignment resulted in a 80 yard touchdown run for Houston in the first half. The offense moved the ball but could not score. The second half was a bitter defensive struggle with neither team having an advantage. A costly Dragon fumble resulted in an easy score for the Mustangs.

Noel Moyes,Josh DeLee, Austin Packer, Dante Jones and Justin Ennis lead the defensive effort. Moyes, Ennis and Sam Henderson ran well and JJ Helton completed several passes for the offense. The offensive unit continues to be devastated with the loss of several key starters due to collar bone and head injuries. The parents and coaches has met with the equipment manufacturer, (Bike) looking for an effective solution.

The football program had an excellent combined (7th and 8th grade) homecoming event. It featured a special dance program presented by the local middle school dance team. After the 7th grade game, all of the cheerleaders with player escorts for both teams were introduced as they walked across the field. Small gifts were exchanged and several thousand pictures were taken. Well over 200 of our Collierville youths participated in the program.

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The Dragons dominated the fairly quiet game. The Devils made several mistakes which cost them dearly in a game dominated by Collierville's short run offense. After a Devil interception by Josh Turner and a long return the Dragons started on there first possession on the Red Devil 35. With five quick runs, Casey Shockey (a recently converted lineman) opened the scoring with a five yard run. Justin Ennis punched the ball over for the two point conversion.

Before half time the Dragons attempted their only pass of the game, it was intercepted and returned deep into Dragon territory. A few plays later the Devils scored, leaving the Dragons ahead 8 to 6.

The third quarter was all Collierville Offense. Issac Booker took the opening kickoff down to the Red Devil 36 yard yard line. It took 16 plays, and the aid of three off sides penalties, to drive the thirty six yards to the score. Casey Shockey scored on a two yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to make the score 14 to 6. The Devils were in trouble and the defense led by Justin Ennis, Dante Jones and Trey Warren made the Devils turn the ball over on downs. When the Devils finally got the ball back they had little time to mount an attack and just ran out of time.

The victory left the Dragon's record at an even 4 and 4 record, which included disappointing losses to several teams that they should have beaten. The season was hampered by injuries to several key players and concern for the safety of the athletes. Coaches John Fair, Jim Crouch with the aid of three hard working assistants is now working on plans for next season.

The Dragon Football support remains the best in Shelby County. The players give special thanks to; the efforts of the Kickoff Club, the mileage and time contributed by the parents, the dedication of the coaches and especially the enthusiasm of our "mighty loud" cheerleaders for a wonderful season. We think that the Dragon Cheerleaders deserve the "Best of Cheer" for Shelby County.