In the first game of the season that actually featured “football weather”, the Dragons rode the strength of its running game to score two first quarter touchdowns to outdistance the home-standing Kirby Wildcats 28-0. The victory enables the Dragons (7-2, 4-2) to remain in the hunt for one of four coveted play-off berths out of Region 8-5A.

The fans had to pay close attention to the first four plays of the game. The Dragon kick-off squad KO’ed the Kirby return man not only jarring the ball loose for a recovery by Drew Moyes but also delaying the game over ten minutes for the player to recover. Taking over at the Kirby 19 yard line, the Dragons got off one play before fumbling the ball away on second down. Recovering the fumble at their own 10 yard line, Kirby fumbled back to the Dragons on first down to set the visitors in great field position at the ten yard line.

The Dragons settled down and three plays later Brett Rogers scored the initial touchdown of the night from one yard out. On the PAT, Matt Clark’s snap to holder Josh McMillon was perfect and Lane Maynard’s kick was true. The Dragons led 7-0 with 9:56 left in the first quarter.

The Dragon defense continued to shine. On the night, Kirby accounted for only 57 yards rushing and 52 yards passing. In their second official possession of the game, they were held to 12 net yards on six plays. Following the Kirby punt, the Dragons took over at their own 46 yd line. The Collierville “O Line” comprised of Laine Halfacre, Collin Ring, Joe White, Taylor Krag, and Dejuan Sharp led the Dragons in a nine play drive capped off by Noel Moyes’ 11 yard TD run. Lane Maynard’s PAT kick was good and the Dragons extended their first quarter lead to 14-0.

The over-matched Kirby Wildcats battled the Dragons the entire game. Facing a four and out on their next possession, the Dragon punt return team was surprised by a Wildcat fake punt that gave them new life out at the 22 yard line. The Dragon D stiffened and made sure the ball was punted this time.

The teams traded possessions before the Dragons put together a touchdown drive. From the Kirby 21, QB Jason Smith was given outstanding protection by the O Line which enabled him to find his secondary receiver, Brett Rogers, deep in the back corner of the end zone for a TD strike. The Clark-McMillon-Maynard PAT combo added another point to close out the first half scoring and to extend the Dragon lead to 21-0.

The Dragons took the second half kick off and marched down the field in an eleven play drive highlighted by key receptions by receivers Chris Collins and Joe Crabtree. Noel Moyes scored on a one yard scamper around left end. Lane Maynard, battling a tweaked hamstring, punched through his fourth PAT of the night for the Dragons to extend the lead to 28-0 and to close out the scoring on the night for both squads.

Going into the final week of the season, only Germantown (7-2, 5-1) has clinched a playoff spot. Five other teams (Collierville, Wooddale, White Station, Houston, and Whitehaven) will all be battling for the final three play-off slots. Collierville hosts Wooddale (6-3, 4-2) at Herman Osteen Field. A Dragon victory will earn Collierville a second place finish in the region. A loss could eliminate the Dragons from post-season play, depending upon the outcome of the Houston-Whitehaven game

Plan to attend the game and give the Dragons a huge home field advantage Friday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Herman Osteen Field. The Collierville Kiwanis Club is hosting a Chili Dinner prior to the game in the cafeteria of Collierville Elementary. Come out and enjoy the festivities.