On a perfect night for football in front of a large homecoming crowd, the Dragons hosted Region 8-5A member Hamilton High School Tigers. After suffering a tough loss last week, the Dragons rebounded and whipped the Tigers 35 - 6.

In other regional action, undefeated Germantown was beaten by Whitehaven. This gave Whitehaven sole possession of 1st place in the toughest region in the state. All teams in the region have now lost at least 1 game. Houston's victory over Collierville most likely knocked the Dragons out of 1st place contention. If the popular scenario plays out, it appears Whitehaven will claim the regional title having suffered their only loss to the Dragons.

For the Collierville-Hamilton game, Jr. MLB Jake Storz again led all tackles with 9. Sr. DE Brent Hogue added 8, Jr. LB Robbie Seahorn had 7 & hard-hitting Sr. LB Brian Bowie tallied 6. Sr. CB Brandon Kennon had 2 interceptions taking his yearly total to 6 for a 16.1 yard return average. Jr. Rogers Thweat had an interception as well. Storz is leading the team in unassisted tackles with 76, followed by Sr. DE Trey Day's 48, Sr. FS Steven Hall's 46, and Hogue's 42.

On offense, Jr. RB Undray Wright had another great performance carrying the ball 12 times for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. RB Steven Hall had 13 carries for 58 yards and 1 TD and Sr. QB Jon Paul Brashear threw a 45 yard touchdown strike to Sr. WR Andy Key.

The game began with Hamilton winning the toss and electing to receive. Sr. K Bruce Fritz's kick went to the 14 yd. line where the Tigers KR fell. Hamilton opened the game's 1st series with a fumble. Sr. DE Trey Day got recovery at the 21 yard line. Three plays later, Sr. LG Turner Smith and Sr. LT Kevin Presley cross-blocked opening a large hole for RB Hall to score from 11 yards out. The point-after kick failed and the Dragons lead 6-0.

Hamilton took the kickoff out to the 21. On their 6th play, Hamilton RB Romario Youngblood had a 43 yard gain before being tackled by CB Undray Wright at the 2 yard line. Running off right guard, LB Jake Storz & Sr. DL Guy Featherstone stopped the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. On the next play, going over left tackle, DE Brent Hogue and LB Brian Bowie combined to stop the Tigers from gaining any yards. With 3rd and 2, Storz and Sr. LB Carson Hunter crunched the Tiger running back at the one. Deciding the go for it instead of kicking a field goal, Storz and DL Presley made the tackle at the line of scrimmage. The strong Dragon "D" held the Tigers from 2 yards out.

On the next series Collierville was unable to move the ball having to punt from the end zone. The Tigers took over with excellent field position at the Dragon 40 yard line. Going 3 and out, the Tigers were again unable to gain any ground and attempted a punt from the 41 yard line.

The snap sailed over the punter's head and rolled to the Tigers 38 yard line. Because of a penalty, Hamilton was allowed to punt again. PR Andy Key called a fair catch and the Dragons took over at their own 41 yard line. The Collierville offense was again unable to move the ball and gave it back to the Tigers at the 49 yard line. On Hamilton's 3rd play, RB Youngblood had another large run this time reaching the end zone from 41 yards out. With the score tied at 6, the Tigers went for 2. Trying to run around the left end, Jr. DE Kent DeVinney and CB Kennon stopped Youndblood in his tracks.

Hamilton kicked an on-side kick which was covered by Seahorn at Collierville's 44. The Dragon's were able to get a 1st down getting a 9 yard gain from RB Kennon. Hamilton held and forced the punt. Punt team up back Kennon, took the snap and found SE Rogers Thweat streaking down the left side line for a 22 yard gain and a 1st down. The Dragons fumbled on the 2nd play and gave the ball back to the Tigers at the 22.

The Tiger's Youndblood again tried to run around the left end and LB Bowie was waiting. Playing off a blocker, Bowie had a great tackle for a 5 yard loss. On the 6th play, LB Hunter had a great stop as well forcing another 5 yard loss in the backfield. Running out of time, Hamilton attempted a field goal that was kicked into the line of scrimmage and the 1st half ended with a 6-6 tie.

In 3rd quarter began with Hamilton kicking short. Beginning at their own 32, LT Presley, Sr. TE Trey Day, and RB Kennon had super blocks opening a hole off left tackle. RB Hall took advantage and fought his way to the Tiger's 44 yard line. On the 8th play of the drive from the Tiger's 26, QB Brashear ran an option to the left and pitched to RB Wright. Wright dodged a tackle and scored. The Dragons went for 2 and RB Hall walked into the end zone behind blocks from LG Smith, LT Presley, and RB Kennon. The Dragons were up 14 - 6.

Hamilton was unable to get a 1st down on the next series and punted. Collierville took over at their 34 yard line. On the 4th play of the drive from the Tiger 45, QB Brashear found WR Key behind the secondary at the 22. Without breaking stride, Key took the perfect strike into the end zone for the score. Jr. kicker C. J. Passmore's point-after kick was good and the Dragons took a 21-6 lead.

Hamilton was unable to get anywhere on their next series. Jr. CB Rogers Thweat caught an interception on the 6th play and returned it for 13 yards. Collierville took over at their own 37. On the 1st play, Sr. C Nick Peterson opened a hole, and again RB Wright took advantage and galloped 63 yards into the end zone. Passmore's kick was good and the Dragon's were up 28 - 6.

Hamilton again could not muster any offense. LB Bowie had another great stop behind the line of scrimmage and CB Kennon had an interception at the Dragon 11 yard line. Collierville was unable to get a 1st down and punted it back. DE Hogue knocked down a pass and CB Kennon caught his 2nd interception and returned it 56 yards to the Tiger's 26.

Coach Paul Cox pulled the starters with a lot of time left in the 4th quarter. Reserve Jr. QB Josh Smith ran an option left and had a good gain down to the 10. Going for it on 4th down, the Dragons were unable to score and gave it back to Hamilton at the 7 yard line. Not being able to make any yardage, the Tigers fumbled it in their own end zone and sophomore DE Todd Madison recovered for another Collierville score. Passmore's kick after was good and the Dragons won the game 35 - 6.

Next Friday the Dragons host Overton High School for their final non-regional game. With only 2 games remaining at home, come and watch Collierville take their record to 7 and 2.

Coach Abel