No one on the team had ever played at Whitehaven so no one was prepared for the home field support that the Tigers enjoy. The Whitehaven team with the benefit of a scheduled week off had two weeks to prepare for the Dragon's, where they installed some new plays, replaced their quarterback and prepared for the Dragon offense. The Memphis area had been waiting for the arrival of Hurricane Lilly, which swept through the area Thursday night bringing just some additional but unwanted rain but all was set at game time for an exciting match up. Whitehaven had suited up 100 players for the contest, and were playing in front of their homecoming crowd that included their excellent 300 member marching band.

The game started according to the Dragon game plan. The first possession went to the Dragon's who drove the full length of the field. A key play was a nice throw and catch from Josh Smith to Brian Hall for a first down. A pass interference call and an off side call also helped on the drive. Kent DeVinney made a nice grab on a deflected pass to set up a first down at the Whitehaven 10 yard line. The next play featured a solid run up the middle by Brashear; unfortunately a Tiger was able to knock the ball loose near the end zone, where Taylor seemed to recover his own fumble. Unfortunately the officials ruled that Taylor had not crossed the goal line, and further ruled that it was wrestled away by Whitehaven, for a Tiger touchback. This was a tough break for the visiting Dragons. It was obvious that Whitehaven had keyed on Brashear who finished the night with 36 yards on 14 carries.

Whitehaven used a short passing game mixed with solid running to drive to the Dragon 20 yard line right after the start of the second quarter. Rogers Thweatt was able to intercept a Whitehaven pass in the end zone on a spectacular diving catch. This turnover put the Dragon's back in business at the Dragon twenty yard line. On the very next play Whitehaven was able to cause another fumble, which they recovered inside the twenty-yard line. On Whitehaven's third down play they threw the ball up for grabs in the end zone, the much taller Tiger receiver won the jump ball and the Dragon's trailed 7 - 0.

The Dragon's took the next possession with confidence and with the strong running of Brian Hall, Josh and James Smith with Taylor Brashear was able to tie the score. Hall got the seven-yard touchdown on a run over the left side. CJ Passmore made the extra point and the Dragon's were back in business. Whitehaven scored quickly on their next drive. The short passing game of the Tigers had drawn the Dragon defense in. Whitehaven went deep for the first time and it spelled disaster for the Dragon's, the coverage was blown, as the defender fell down, and the Whitehaven receiver completed the 68-yard pass play without a Dragon in sight.

The next possession for the Dragon's yielded yet another turnover. Josh Smith was hit as the ball was thrown causing an interception that was returned into Dragon territory. The Tiger's again made the Dragon's pay for their mistake. A short pass and a great broken field run made the score 20 to 7. Both teams traded possessions but the score stood at the half 20 to 7. The Dragon faithful of less than 300 were entertained on this very hot and humid night at half time by the Whitehaven band, and dance team which numbered well over 300. The game was selected by Time Warner Cablevision as the game of the week and televised on the weekend, which probably reduced the Collierville following along with Hurricane Lilly.

Whitehaven had the first possession in the third quarter, a long drive resulting in yet another jump ball touchdown pass at the goal line sealed Collierville's fate and leaving them down 26 - 7. The physical size of both the offensive and defensive line was becoming a larger advantage as the game wore on.

Collierville's first possession, directly in front of the playing Whitehaven band went absolutely nowhere. Cody McMeans dive into the middle of the line was good for no gain. The next play was a missed signal that resulted in Josh Smith being tackled in the backfield. On third down Josh Smith fumbled as he was sacked, an alert Kent DeVinney fell on the loose ball saving yet another turnover.
The Dragons were able to stop the next Tiger possession on downs with Todd Madison knocking down a fourth down pass. The rest of the contest was not much to watch as neither team could get into rhythm.

The Dragon's thought they had a break in the fourth quarter as an alert James Smith picked up a fumbled punt and was running for an apparent touchdown. The play did not stand as the officials ruled against the Dragons that the ball had not touched the receiver. The final Whitehaven score came shortly after a Dragon fake punt left the ball deep in Dragon territory late in the contest.
Brian Hall had another excellent game on both sides of the ball; where he led the team in rushing with 67 yards, in tackles with 12 recorded one pass reception and one interception. Jake Storz at middle linebacker had another solid game with 11 tackles and several key blocks on offense. Robbie Seahorn at outside linebacker who shares the left guard duties with Storz recorded 6 tackles.

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2001 Whitehaven Game