The Dragons took the gridiron Friday night at Herman Osteen Field hosting the Knights from Sheffield. Collierville turned out to be anything but gracious hosts as the Dragons dominated the Knights for a 42 - 6 victory. An early lead provided key playing time for the Dragon reserves.

After giving up almost 300 yards rushing the previous week to Kirby, the Dragons defense stepped up like they had something to prove. The Dragons allowed Sheffield just 49 yards on the ground which set the tone for the game.

The Dragons began the scoring after marching up the field with 5:56 left in the first quarter with a 6 yard pass from Sr. QB Josh Smith to Sr. TE Kent DeVinney. Josh Smith was 6 for 10 passing for 126 yards on the night and rushed for 9 yards on 8 carries.

On the Knights first possession the defense set the tone by stopping the run and a quarterback sack by Jr. DE Todd Madison for a 7 yard loss. After forcing the Knights to punt, the Dragon offense went into high gear capped by a 44 yard touchdown romp by Jr. FB Taylor Brashear. Brashear led all Collierville rushers with 132 yards on 11 carries. After C.J. Passmores's extra point, the Dragons led 14 - 0 with 3:04 left in the first quarter.

The Dragon offense was held in check during the second quarter by the Sheffield defense and a lost fumble. However, the defense stepped up and held the knights scoreless until 1: 09 left in the half. Sheffield scored on a 5 yard pass, but the extra point failed leaving the score 14-6 at the half.

The defense held Sheffield scoreless in the second half while the powerful Dragon offense went to work. Senior RB James Smith scored on a 5 yard run at the 4:51 mark in the third quarter giving the Dragons a 21 - 6 lead after Passmore's extra point. Smith rushed for 46 yards on 9 carries on the night.

Brashear scored his second TD in the game just 39 seconds later as he busted through the line, behind Jr. Brad Pace's block and rambled 48 yards for the score giving the Dragons a 28 - 6 lead at the end of the third period.

The defense stuffed the run all night. The maligned secondary bent, but stepped up with 3 interceptions, one each by Sr. Rogers Thweat, Sr. Greg Carter, and Jr. Clarence Featherstone. Featherstone also recovered a fumble and had 4 tackles on the night. The defense was led by Sr. LB Robbie Seahorn, Sr. LB Jake Storz, Jr. DB Jon Scruggs and Jr. DE Todd Madison, all with 7 tackles each.

With 8:01 remaining in the game, the Dragons added another TD on Soph. RB Brian Halls 23 yard run. Hall rushed 3 times for 35 yards. The 4 touchdown lead provided valuable playing time for the Dragon reserves with over 25 different players recording tackles on defense. The Dragon scoring was capped with a 23 yard touchdown run by Featherstone for a final score of 42 - 6.

The Dragons will host the powerful Germantown Red Devils in an early key region contest Friday night at Osteen Field.

2001 Sheffield Game