Article
by: Bruce Madison
| |
| Sr.
DB Derek Riley makes a shoestring tackle |
The Dragons
returned home to Osteen Field and displayed their high-octane
offense on the way to a 31 point victory, but not before
bringing back haunting memories from the 2000 State Playoffs.
The Dragons took the opening kick off with Sr. Brian
Nevill returning to the 43 yard line to start
the first drive. Jr. QB Brian
Hall found Sr. WR Jon Scruggs open in the
end zone for the 25yd touchdown at the 10:44 mark in the
first quarter. The extra point failed and the Dragons
took an early 6-0 lead.
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| Sr.
Brian Nevill heads down the sideline and scores
from 41 yds. out |
The lead would
last exactly 24 seconds, which was the time needed for
the Central Warriors to return the ensuing kick off 90
yards for the TD. It was Déjà vu all over
again. Remember the 2000 State Playoffs when Central upset
the highly favored Dragons in the first round? Central
converted the extra point and took a 7-6 lead with 10:28
left in the opening quarter. Once again Nevill gave the
offense good field position returning the kick off to
the 49 yard line. Two plays later, Nevill ran around the
left side 41 yards for the TD. Hall's 2 point conversion
run gave the Dragons the lead at 14-7.
| |
Dragons |
Warriors |
| 1st
Downs |
21 |
8 |
| Rushing
Yds |
333 |
277 |
| Passing
Yds |
107 |
17 |
| Total
Offense |
440 |
294 |
| Fumbles
Lost |
1 |
1 |
| Pen.
Yds Lost |
10 |
25 |
This time the
Dragon Special Teams pinned the Warriors on their own
15 yard line on the return, but 2 plays later, Central's
Braxton raced 60 yards downfield before being tackled
from behind. Central would not be denied as they scored
again on a 17 yard pass play. The 2 point conversion failed
which left the Dragons clinging to a 14-13 lead. The Dragons
next drive stalled on the Central 25 as the Warriors took
advantage of a Collierville turnover. Then Central's Jarvis
Braxton broke through the middle of the Dragon defense
and ran 75 yards for the go ahead touchdown. The extra
point failed, but the Warriors had taken a 19-14 lead
with 4:32 left in the first quarter. But, this is 2003
not the 2000 playoffs.
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| #75
Scott Eller pulls down the line of scrimmage and
levels the DE as QB Brian Hall gain big yardage
|
That would
be the last Central score until late in the fourth quarter
against the Dragon's third team defense. The Dragons first
team defense shut down the Warriors for the rest of the
game. The defense was led by Sr. LB Dustin
Brasher with 6 tackles followed by Sr. DE
Todd
Madison, Jr. Tyler McMillon, and Sr LB Jake Hill
with 4 tackles each. The Dragon's regained the lead for
good on Sr. FB Taylor
Brashear's 1 yard run with Scruggs adding the
2 point conversion for a 22-19 lead. A highlight in the
drive occurred when Jr. OT Scott
Eller pulled down the line of scrimmage and kicked
the DE out of the play. Hall cut off the block and took
the ball deep into Warrior territory. Sr. C Brad
Pace had another consistent night anchoring
the offensive line.
Sr. RB Clarence
Featherstone set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Featherstone increased the Dragon lead with a 56 yard
touchdown run to put the lead at 29-19. Featherstone lead
all rushers with 101 yards on 5 attempts followed by Hall's
12/95 yards, and Brashear's 14/58 yards. Scruggs led all
receivers with 3 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Featherstone scored again before half on a 1 yard run
to make the halftime score 36-19 after Caldwell's extra
point.
The second
half was totally dominated by the Dragon's on both sides
of the ball. Hall and Brashear added touchdown runs of
22 and 5 yards respectively while moving the Collierville
lead to 50-19 by the close of the third quarter.
| |
| Sr.
SE Jon Scruggs in the open field. Scruggs had 3
catches for 91 yds, 1TD & a rushing XP |
The fourth
quarter saw plenty of quality playing time for the Dragon
reserves. So. QB Jason Smith connected on a 16 yard touchdown
pass to Jr Neil Hillis for the Dragons final tally. Every
player that dressed on the Dragon sideline saw playing
time the rest of the way. The late Central score made
the final Collierville 57 Central 26. The Dragons travel
to historic Crump Stadium Friday for an early Region contest
against the Hamilton Wildcats.
