Everyone knew that Crump stadium and the Hamilton Wildcats would not treat the Dragons with a lot of respect. Everyone knew that each possession and point would be critical. The winner of this game certainly could be the fourth place team in Region 8-5A and make the final playoff spot. The Dragon faithful including the band, the Varsity cheerleading and the pom squad sensed the tension. Crump stadium with all of it's history demonstrated its control over the event as the game field clock refused to operate. The game was played with the time kept on the field in the hands of the officials.

Hamilton won the toss and took possession at the twenty yard line after a long into the end zone kickoff by C. J. Passmore. Hamilton in a major departure attempted three passing plays, the defense adjusted well and the Wildcats were forced to punt. A very unusual penalty against the Dragon's allowed the Wildcats to punt twice but with near equal results. Starting at the Collierville 48 it took the Dragons just four plays to score. Taylor Brashear got 10 up the middle, Brian Hall got 34 over the left side, Josh Smith got 6 yards on a keeper, James Smith got the touchdown on a two yard plunge. The extra point was good and the Dragons led 7 to 0.

Hamilton on there possession did what they do best, which is to grind out the ground game. It took fourteen plays and another unusual penalty against Collierville, but the Wildcats scored and made the extra point to tie the score at 7 to 7. Collierville's next possession went three and out to start the second quarter. Looking for a big break the high punt by Robbie Seahorn bounced out of the hands of the Wildcat returner but after a furious attempt to recover the loose ball it fell to Hamilton.

Hamilton then returned the favor as they also went three and out. Hamilton's punt was nearly blocked, the resulting short kick gave the Dragons the ball on the 40 yard line. Several solid runs by Brashear up the middle set the Dragon's up for a score. A key play was when Rogers Thweatt recovered a Dragon fumble for a first down. Kendric Watkins got the score, the extra point was made and the Dragons again led 14 to 7.

Hamilton went back to the ground game on the next possession, after 13 plays the Wildcats came up empty as Jared Yendrek recovered a loose ball in the Hamilton backfield. Not having much time before the half the Dragon offense was not able to score so at the half the score remained 14 to 7.
The second half started with a bang with Brian Hall having an excellent return to the 45 yard line. Brashear on the third down burst through the hole and outraced the field for the 48 yard touchdown. The kick was good and the Dragons led 21 to 7.
A determined Hamilton squad aided by a "no call" motion penalty that was part of a 50 yard pass play got the points back in a drive that consisted of 10 plays. The extra point attempt was botched and the score was 21 to 13.

The Dragon's next series became extremely important. On a critical 3rd down and 4 yards, Josh Smith found tight end Kent DeVinney wide open over the middle. The catch and run netted 27 yards. The next play seemed to be a repeat as DeVinney made the short catch and brought the ball down to the 4 yard line. Josh Smith was able to sneak in for the score three plays later. The extra point team again converted and the score zoomed to 28 to 13. The extra point team, which has been solid all year, features Passmore (kicker), Jonathon Abel (holder) and DeVinney (long snapper).

Hamilton with a sense of urgency took 8 plays to score again. Hamilton took a time out to plan the two point conversion which now seemed paramount. The left side of the defense lead by DeVinney responded by stopping the play before the goal line and kept the score 28 to 19. All the Dragon offense could do on the next possession against a blitzing Hamilton team was three and out, which forced the Dragons to punt.
The "bend but not break" defense of the Dragon's forced Hamilton to use 10 plays before they scored again. This time they converted on the two point conversion attempt and the score narrowed to 28 to 27.

Hamilton needed the ball but did not get their onsides kick to work. The Dragon's took possession on the 48 yard line. Three solid runs seemed to net an easy first down, but the official ruled that we were short of a first down. On fourth down, Brian Hall closed the issue with second effort he pushed the pile forward. Brashear then broke the next two plays taking the ball to the 5 yard line. The entire stadium was surprised when the officials picked up the ball signaling that the game had ended.

Senior middle linebacker Jakes Storz recorded 18 tackles on the night, but credit must be given to the defensive lineman who stood up to the much larger offensive line of Hamilton. Coach Bradley used at least 12 different defensive lineman in order to stall the between the tackle running attack of Hamilton. Taylor Brashear again lead the team rushing with over 130 yards.

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2001 Hamilton Game