While the offense provided the flash, the Dragon defense brought the smash. Running out of an attacking 3-5 scheme, linebackers Josh McMillon, Noel Moyes, Jacob Hunter, Eric Burrus, and Trey Fitch disrupted the Central offense with speed and aggressive penetration. Seniors Lane Maynard, Chris Collins, and Grant Hall turned in solid defensive performances with timely hits and key tackles.

Sr WR Chris Collins took the opening kick and returned it to the 32. Three plays later QB Jason Smith hit a streaking Lane Maynard for a 38 yard gainer down to the Warrior 14 yd line. Then Smith called his own number and sprinted in for the first score of the game. Maynard’s PAT, on Jr Matt Clark's snap and Sr Josh McMillon's hold, was good and the Dragons led 7-0 with 10:05 left in the initial quarter.

Later in the first quarter, the Warriors capitalized on a Dragon fumble and the Central offense scored a quick six points two plays later. The PAT failed and the score was tightened to 7-6 at the 4:52 mark. This must have waked the Dragons because the game was never in doubt from this point forward. On the next series, the Dragons answered by marching the ball down to the Warrior 1 yd line. The drive was highlighted by a 43 yard jaunt up the middle by Sr FB Casey Shockey who gave the Dragons first and 10 at the Warrior 22 yd line. Sr WR Joe Crabtree gathered 12 yards on a quick out pattern and Noel Moyes carried the ball down to the 1 yard line. Casey Shockey hammered it in for the Dragon score. The Clark/McMillon/Maynard PAT was good and the Dragons led 14-6.

On the next defensive series for the Dragons, Jr DE Brett Rogers had deep penetration on first down and blocked a third down pass to force the Warriors to punt. Starting at the 44 yd line, the Collierville offense cranked out another touchdown with QB Jason Smith sprinting into the end zone from 33 yards out extending the Collierville lead to 21-6 with 11:28 left in the first half.

The Warriors speed was again highlighted when on first down from the 20, the Central running back quickly popped into the Dragon secondary and only the speed and hustle of Sr Chris Collins saved a TD. On successive plays, Jr LB Jacob Hunter made good penetration to disrupt the offense and forced a fumble that the Warriors were able to recover. On third down, Jacob Hunter again disrupted the play while Sr DE Grant Hall forced a fumble that he was also able to recover. On the second play after the fumble recovery, Jason Smith froze the Warrior defense on a mesmerizing play fake and scampered around left end for 41 yards and another Dragon touchdown. With 7:53 left in the 2nd quarter, Matt Clark's snap was good and Maynard’s kick was true and the Dragon lead was extended to 28-6.

On the next series, Jr LB Eric Burrus smashed the Central running back behind the scrimmage line for a four yard loss on first down. Then Jr DE Harrison Bizzell slammed the Warrior running back jarring the ball loose and enabling LB Josh McMillon to scoop it up for another gift to the Dragon offensive squad. On the very next play, with excellent blocking across the front, Sr TE Grant Hall executed a textbook downfield block on the Warrior safety to spring RB Noel Moyes loose for a 33 yard touchdown. With 6:46 remaining in the half, the Dragons led 34-6.

Not having much luck on the ground, Central took to the air where on third down Jr DB Garrison Bizzell broke up a pass play that allowed an alert Lane Maynard to pick the errant pass out of the air and return it to the Central 23 yard line. Sr RB Noel Moyes punched in his second TD of the night from 3 yards out extending the Dragon lead to 41-6 with 3:34 showing on the game clock.

On the ensuing kick-off, a hustling Jason Goins dropped the Warrior kick returner in his tracks at the 25 yard line. Central’s offense could not get untracked and the Dragon defense had its ears pinned back. Central had two consecutive negative yardage plays when on third down, Dragon LB Joe White penetrated deep into the Warrior backfield to disrupt the play and force another fourth down punt. Two plays later, Dragon RB Brett Rogers barreled into the end-zone from 38 yards out to close out the first half scoring. The Dragons had constructed a commanding 47-6 lead as a result of a relentless half of defensive football and an outstanding ground attack fueled by the offensive blocking of Sr T Dejuan Sharp, Sr G Collin Ring, Sr TE Grant Hall, Jr T Laine Halfacre, Jr G Blake Reed, Jr C Joe White.

Again, Jr Jason Goins made an outstanding special team tackle on the Warrior kick returner, dropping him at the 21, to begin the second half of play. After the defense forced another Warrior fourth down punt, Coach Cox gave the nod to Soph QB Chivas Jones who lined his squad up at the 39 yard line. Soph RB Drew Moyes popped out for 7 yds then successive penalties pushed the Dragons back. Facing second down and 19 from the 30 yd line, Chivas Jones hit Jr RB Daniel Pedron in the flat for 8 yards and then picked up 14 yards on his own to breathe life back into the drive. With first and ten at the Central 48, the game was halted for nearly 30 minutes due to a lightening storm. Once play resumed, QB Chivas Jones marched his squad down to the Warrior 16 yard line. Running the option to perfection, Jones scored from 16 yds out to cap off an impressive twelve play drive covering over 61 yards that was interrupted by inclement weather and penalties. With 3:47 left in the 3rd quarter, the Dragons had posted the eventual final score of the game, 54-6.

Even with such a lop-sided score, the Central Warriors never gave up. On the following kick-off, Sr K Lane Maynard was forced to make a touchdown saving tackle at the 41 yard line. For the remainder of the game, Coach Cox was able to give a number of Dragons valuable playing time. Two series later, the Warriors had marched the ball down to the Dragon 15 where on fourth down, a well thrown Warrior pass fell to the ground in the back of the end-zone thanks to good defensive coverage by Soph DB Bart Smith.

Next the Dragons host their second Region 8 game of the season when the Houston Mustangs travel to Herman Osteen Field for a 7:00 PM kickoff on Friday night. Another outstanding match up is expected between these two talented and well-coached squads. The Collierville-Houston game always has Region 8 championship implications and is one of the biggest rivalries in Shelby County.