In Region 8-5A, with six teams battling for a slot, the play-offs generally begin with the last game of the regular season and this year was no different. With a playoff berth in the balance, CHS Coach Paul Cox announced last week that the play-offs begin with Wooddale and his charges took his warning to heart.

The Dragons rolled up 216 yards rushing against a premier Wooddale team to propel Collierville into the State play-offs for an amazing 13th consecutive year. The Friday night win locked in home field advantage as the Dragons (8-2, 5-2) finished second in the region.

“Our offensive line has gotten so much better each game and it all came together tonight in an awesome game tonight”, stated Coach Paul Cox.

“We knew they would run. They were not only big and physical, but very quick. We just beat them up front”, according to Junior Tackle Laine Halfacre.

Wooddale took the opening kick-off and drove the ball down to the Dragon 6 yard line where they scored on a quick pass play to post a 7-0 lead with 8:36 to play in the first quarter.

The Cardinals then surprised the Dragons with an onside kick which was recovered by Wooddale at the 40 yard line. On the second play, the Cardinal running back was hit behind the line of scrimmage but managed to bust out to the Dragon 21 yard line before he was stopped. Then, defensive ends Grant Hall and Harrison Bizzell dropped the Cardinal QB for a 7 yard loss. On the next play, Harrison Bizzell slammed into the ball carrier forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Dragons.

The Dragon offense took over and put together a 14 play drive highlighted by three third-down conversions and one fourth-down conversion. Facing third and five from the 8 yard line, Senior QB Jason Smith hit TE Grant Hall who made a sliding catch in the end zone for the Dragons’ first touchdown. Lane Maynard’s PAT kick, on Matt Clark’s snap and Josh McMillon’s hold, was good and the game was knotted 7-7 with 28 seconds left in the quarter.

The talented Cardinals feature the top-rated passer in the Shelby-Metro area and rely on the pass as much as the run. The Dragon defense began to read the Cardinal offense and after driving the ball down to the Collierville 15 yard line, LB Noel Moyes settled into the receiver’s curl-in spot and snatched the first Dragon interception of the night.

The Dragon defense would hold the Cardinals to 176 yards of total offense with 112 coming from the pass and only 64 on the ground as well as snatching two fumbles and two interceptions.

“We flew to the ball really well tonight, especially on the option and sweeps”, QB Jason Smith said praising the defensive effort.

Both teams battled through two more possessions before the first half ended with the game knotted 7-7.

The Dragons hit pay-dirt with 4:03 left in the third quarter when Brett Rogers bulled into the endzone from 4 yards out. The Clark-McMillon-Maynard combo pushed the score to 14-7 on the PAT kick.

The Dragon D held the explosive Cardinals in check and the Dragon offense were put back in business. With talented QB Jason Smith hitting the outside and tough FB Casey Shockey handling inside duty, the Dragons drove down to the Cardinal 9 yard line. In a controversial play, Jason Smith fumbled the ball into the endzone where it was recovered by Wooddale. It appeared Smith was down on the play and following an officials huddle, the ball was awarded to Wooddale at the 20.

“They said I fumbled...”, according to Smith, “... but I honestly thought I was down. I should have held on to the ball better”.

The Dragon defense was up to the task. The Cardinals attempted some trickery but an alert Chris Collins smelled out the Reverse play and stopped it for nominal gain. The next play found the Dragons Defense with the ball on a recovery at the Wooddale 12 yard line. The Dragons were not able to find the endzone but Lane Maynard was able to tack on a 31 yard “breathing room” field goal. The Dragon lead was extended to 17-7 with 6:07 left in the game.

Not to be denied, the Cardinal kick returner was one step from a touchdown on the kick off but was finally brought down at the Dragon 36 yard line. Passing from the 24 yard line, the Cardinals were looking for a quick strike.

Fortunately for the Dragons, defensive back Chris Collins brought his “A” game to the defensive side of the ball as he squared up and out-jumped the Wooddale receiver to intercept the ball in the endzone. On the night, Collins had a forced fumble, an interception, and was the second leading tackler with 6 solos in the game.

After the game, Chris Collins explained the key play, “#4 and #88 were fast and I got beat a couple of times early. On the interception, I got great position and I jumped at the highest peak just like the coaches teach”.

Following the Dragon possession, the Cardinals went into a very effective 2-minute offensive drill. Five plays later they scored on another quick-hitting pass play for the touchdown. On the PAT, Dragon Bart Smith smashed into the holder and there was no kick on the play. The Dragon lead stood at 17-13 with 2:33 left to play.

Expecting another onside kick, Coach Cox fielded his “hands team” for the ensuing kick-off. The Cardinals kicked deep instead, apparently believing their defense could stymie the Dragon offense. This was not to be.

Facing a crucial third and eight, Jason Smith scampered right on a QB keeper and made the game-clinching first down which was followed by a personal foul face mask penalty against Wooddale. FB Casey Shockey carried the ball up the middle on consecutive plays before Jason Smith, behind his offensive line, took a knee at the 28 to seal the Dragon victory.

On the defensive side, linebacker Eric Burrus led all Dragons with 7 solo tackles as well as recovering a fumble and contributing on a QB sack. Quarterback Jason Smith carried the ball 23 times for 127 yards as well as passing for 67 yards and one touchdown to lead the offensive attack.

The Dragons next host Region 7’s Millington at Herman O’Steen Field in Collierville. The game is slated for a 7:00 PM kick-off. Come out and support the Dragons as they begin the official “second season”.