CHS vs. JCM 2002

The Collierville Dragons found themselves in a big hole on Friday night trailing by 17 points early in the second half of play against Jackson Central Merry. The Dragons however proved that they had a lot of fire left and nearly pulled off what would have been a huge upset of the undefeated hometown team. This playoff game matched the same two teams in the first round last year.

Collierville took the opening kickoff at their own 35 yard line and drove it deep into Cougar territory. Brian Hall and Josh Smith teamed up for two critical first down completions on the drive.

From the Cougar 11 a short run, and an incomplete pass brought up a critical third down play. Disaster was averted when the pass rush knocked the ball out of Smith's hand only to be recovered by Smith. CJ Passmore then attempted a 38 yard field goal, the attempt however was just slightly wide left. JCM proved why they are one of the top rated teams in the state, as they mounted a 13 play drive inside the Dragon 10 yard line. Robbie Seahorn was able to force a fumble after a short pass where Jaret Yendrek was able to recover the loose ball ending the drive.

The Dragon's averted disaster again in the next series as senior Josh Peeples recovered a Dragon fumble near the ten yard line. JCM was not to be stopped on there next possession. It took 7 plays but the Cougars got the score and led 7 - 0 early in the second quarter.

A determined Dragon offense returned the favor, by marching 70 yards in 8 plays. Kendrick Watkins got 12 yards on a sweep, (he had 46 yards on three carries) to start the drive. Taylor Brashear then got 13 more yards up the middle, Smith and Rogers Thweatt teamed up for another critical first down, Hall added another first down inside the ten yard line. Brashear capped the drive with a fine 7 yard (59 yards on 13 carries) burst up the middle. The extra point attempt was blocked by a solid Cougar rush and the Dragons trailed 7 to 6.

JCM proved again that their offense was top notch marching in 12 plays for another score, the Cougars attempt for an extra point failed and the Dragons now trailed 13 to 6. The Dragon offense failed to get a first down on the next drive. After a Dragon punt the Cougars were able to break a long pass up the middle to set up another scoring opportunity. The Dragon defense stopped the drive but the Cougars were able to make a field goal right as the half ended. This stretched the score to 16 to 6. A very quiet Dragon team met with the coaching staff at half time and tried to figure out a solution to the Cougar attack.

The Cougars got a great kickoff, return placing the ball at the 50 yard line, seniors James Smith and CJ Passmore made the saving tackle. Five plays later JCM punched the ball over stretching the lead to 23 to 6.

The Dragons certainly looked down and when they fell on a squib kick at the 37 yard line it looked very grim for the Dragons. On the very first play senior quarterback Josh Smith who was 11 of 16 on the night for 159 yards made the overconfident Cougars pay attention. Smith found a streaking Hall (3 receptions for 95 yards) wide open over the middle for a 63 yard touchdown. Smith's attempt at two points was blown away by a strong wind and the score remained 23 - 12.
The Cougars had more fight left in them as they drove the length of the field. It was again Seahorn who popped the ball loose at the 11 yard line. Senior middle linebacker Jake Storz who had 21 tackles on the night made the recovery keeping the Dragon hopes alive.

A determined Dragon offense marched down the field. Watkins had a big 30 yard run to start the drive. Key first downs were made by Brashear and Smith before Brashear again ran the middle for 8 yards to get the touchdown. Thweatt's 2 point conversion run attempt was stopped in the backfield but the score was now 23 to 18 early in the fourth quarter.

The Dragons needed a break to keep momentum going their way. Officials however blew away two prime opportunities. First, they waved off a backwards pass ruling it as an incompletion and then waved off an obvious fumble that was ruled dead by an officials whistle. After several tense minutes the defense held fast giving the offense a shot at the Dragon 25 yard line.

Senior running back James Smith got the next drive going with a fine 23 yard run to the Dragon 48 yard line. Senior Tight End Kent DeVinney got a key 12 yard completion on a 3rd down play giving the Dragons a first down at the Cougar 37. On the very next play disaster struck as the ball was knocked out of Josh Smith's hand with under two minutes to play. The defense made several fine attempts to strip the ball but to no avail. After a failed attempt at fourth down the Dragons were down to just 8 seconds. A desperation pass from Josh Smith was intercepted just as time expired.

This ended the season of the 2002 Collierville Dragons. This team had a record of 7 wins and 4 losses. This was a very successful year that began with lots of questions and a lot of holes to fill with the departure of 28 seniors from the 2001 team. This team out performed the early predictions and was a vastly improved team than when they were destroyed at Southhaven in the annual spring scrimmage.

CONGRATULATIONS 2002 DRAGONS