Avenging two straight losses to the Dragons, the 11th ranked White Station Spartans took control of the 4th quarter in a very tight game to top Collierville 33 - 18.  Ranked 9th in the most recent state 5A TSAAA football power rankings, White Station brought a well-balanced attack and a defense loaded with NCAA Division 1 prospects into Collierville.  The Dragons brought determination and moxie - and for three quarters, the outcome was anyone’s guess.
     Finding their seats after a great homecoming tradition of tailgate barbecue, the Dragons’ fans were treated to a brilliant opening drive.  Behind a balanced attack of TB’s Jason Goins and Chase Presson runs and QB Derek Pacileo passes, the Dragons drove the length of the field and scored on a 31 yard pass from Pacileo to WR Andrew Richmond.  Unfortunately, an offensive pass interference call cost a down and enough yardage to put the Dragons out of scoring range.  Starting on its own 20, White Station quickly drove the field with the Spartans’ QB connecting on a 41 yard TD strike, staking White Station an early 7 - 0 lead. 
     The Dragons ground attack moved the ball to the White Station 40, keyed by a nifty 13-yard run behind LT Mike Mancini and lead blocker Bart Smith.  Forced to punt after the drive stalled, the Dragons Defense took the field and stuffed the Spartans as Zach Jackson nailed the White Station tailback for a 2 yard loss.  Dragons’ Special Teams ace Eric Smith tackled the White Station punter -  jarring the ball loose and scooped up by Eric Burrus for a Special Teams TOUCHDOWN!  An unusual PAT miss put the Dragons down 7 - 6, but the defense appeared to gain confidence in its game plan.
      With White Station taking over on its own 20, the defense again needed a big stop - and answered in a big way.  Spartan TB Darius Granger met Tyler “the Hammer” Hammers for a 3 yard loss, and LB Zach Jackson stuffed him again on 3rd down to bring up 4th down and 11 to go as the first quarter ended.   Fielding the punt at the Collierville 42, the Dragons could only gain 5 yards and Punter Andrew Richmond boomed a beautiful 42 yard punt to the 10 yard line, but the lightening quick punt returner Esau Rivus took it 90 yards to put White Station up 13 - 6.  Dragons’ gunner Tom Nelson blocked the extra point attempt, keeping the game within 7.  At this point, big plays by both Special Teams’ units was the game story.
     Both teams traded punts as the defenses settled in.  Collierville was able to get a final drive going late in the first half behind a balanced attack.  Jason Goins made a key first down behind the blocking of LT Mike Mancini and LG Nathan Ring, and Derek Pacileo hit a 10 yard pass to Andrew Richmond.  On 3rd and 2 at the White Station 24, Powerback Eric Burress bulldozed would-be tacklers for a 12 yard gain to the 12.  Moving further into field goal range, Dragons K Jeremy Adair nailed a 24-yard FG to keep Collierville in close trail 9 - 13.  White Station had no answer as LB Chris Bossert buried the Spartan RB for a 1 yard loss, followed by two “Hammers” for no gain.  Time ran out of the half with White Station on top 13 - 9.
      White Station took the first possession of the 3rd quarter and connected on a couple big passes.  Following an incomplete pass, LB Eric Burrus made a big stop bringing up 3rd and 7 from the White Station 45.  Pressure from Zach Jackson and Tyler Hammers forced another incompletion and a punt.  Collierville again drove the ball, with QB Pacileo hitting WR Connor Simmons for a beautiful 33 yard gain to the White Station 32.  Moving the ball to the 27 behind running by RB Chase Presson, the Spartans’ defense again held the line, but the Dragons were easily within star kicker Adair’s range, and Adair made good a 45 yard field goal, putting the Dragons down by only a point 13 - 12.  White Station began its next drive again through the air, moving the ball all the way to the Collierville 33 when Defensive End Harrison Bizzell nailed the Spartans’ RB, forcing a fumble recovered by LB Chris Bossert.  The Dragons appeared to have all the momentum and moved the ball to the Collierville 44, facing 4th and 1 yard.  The Dragons could not pick up that yard, which became the turning point of the game, as the Spartans took to the air in moving the ball for another touchdown.  The PAT was again blocked, this time by big Mike Mancini putting White Station up 19 - 12 with 2:59 left in the quarter.
     The Dragons were unable to move the ball and punter Richmond boomed another beautiful 42 yarder to the White Station 15.  Spartans QB Jeff Link moved the ball well by hitting a bevy of big receivers, capped by a 15 yard TD strike with 10:06 remaining.  PAT good, White Station leads 26 - 12.  The Spartans defense would only give up 2 yards, forcing Collierville to punt.  QB Link then led the Spartans on another TD drive, with several big passes that put White Station up 33 - 12.  It looked like the Dragons might be tempted to give up, but time was left for more scoring and QB Derek Pacileo stepped up to the challenge.  Facing 4th down and 9 from the White Station 49, Pacileo hit WR Craig McComsey for a huge 31 yard pass to the 18.  After keeping for a 9 yard pickup, Pacileo hit WR Bart Smith for an 11 yard TD strike!  Failing to convert a 2 point attempt, White Station led 33 - 18.  The Dragon defense would again stop White Station, with Zach Jackson, Keaton Stigger, Josh Simpson, and John White combining to twice nail White Station for a combined 14 yard loss.  However, it was too little, too late as the Dragons offense ran out of steam and the game ended in a big regional loss 33 - 18. 
     The Dragons were physically outmatched in this game, but showed a lot of fight and heart in keeping the game within reach for the first 3 quarters.  With 2 losses in the region, the Dragons now must approach each game one game at a time and see how it all shakes out when the season ends.  It starts next week at Cordova.  Hope to see you there.