Patriots Lose Heartbreaker, 21-19

Everyone has had their heart broken at least once in their lifetime, if they have lived long enough. The story was no different for the Jefferson County High School football team on Friday night against William Blount. After trailing 21-10 early in the 4th quarter the Patriots would have a chance at victory with 20 seconds left in the contest.  It wasn’t to be.

“We battled back and put ourselves in a position to win,” Head Coach, Kenny Cobble explained.”  He added, “I told Gio (Morales) and all those guys right there, no game rests on one play.”

Unfortunately for the Patriots the game isn’t won or lost with one play, however if it was Jefferson County would have been victorious very early. Sophomore, Michael Ealy, returned the opening kickoff to the contest 94-yards for the early lead for the Patriots at 7-0.

William Blount’s ensuing drive would be a good one making it all the way to the Jefferson County 1-yard line. On 2nd and Goal however, the Governors would lose 20 yards on a bad snap over the head of quarterback Austin Myrick. The Governors couldn’t recover from their miscues and the Patriots would get the ball back.

After a few stalled drives by both teams, the Govs would strike from 24-yards out when Myrick found Joel Graham in the back of the endzone with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter. The score was tied after one quarter of play at 7-7.

After the Patriots next drive stalled, they were forced to punt. With his heels at the 10-yard line William Blount return man, Joel Graham, muffed the punt and Jefferson County was back in business from the Govs 11-yard line. With 9:35 remaining in the first half Gio Morales would connect on a field goal from 20-yards out and the Pats led 10-7.

Midway through the 2nd quarter Jefferson County star receiver, Noah Carter, would catch a ball across the middle, turn up the near sideline, and hurdle a William Blount defender for a dazzling 28-yard reception. However, a personal foul penalty for the hurdle would be assessed, per TSSAA rules and negate the spectacular play.

William Blount would drive deep inside Patriot territory on their final drive of the first half. However, a Devin Fair fumble with 12 seconds remaining would end any hopes for a Governor lead at the half. Jefferson County clung to 10-7 lead at halftime.

After turnovers on the first 2 series of the 2nd half for the Govs, their next two were very different. On 2nd and 2, Devin Fair would take the handoff from Myrick and race 82-yards to pay dirt and the Governors had their first lead of the night at 14-10. On their next drive Fair would again find the endzone from 1-yard out pushing the lead to 21-10 early in the 4th quarter. Cobble felt for his defense, “ You know you play tough and you play tough and you play tough” He added “ Then you give up that one back breaking run and it is tough.”

The Patriot connection of Jenkins to Carter would prove to be the difference on the next JCHS drive. After Jenkins to Carter set the Patriots up with 1st down at the 11-yard line, it was Carter to Jenkins for the score. Jenkins would handoff to Carter on an apparent sweep to the far side, Carter then stood and tossed it back to a wide open Jenkins for an 11-yard touchdown with the score standing at 21-17.

After a Jenkins’ interception at the William Blount 2-yard line with 1:39 remaining in the game it would appear the game was over. However, the Patriot defense would stand tall and force William Blount to take a safety on 4th Down making the score 21-19.

The ensuing kickoff was returned all the way down to the 23-yard line by Treyson Mills and the Patriots had life with 1:04 remaining. After two running plays with no timeouts the Patriots would spike the ball on 3rd down with 20 seconds remaining in the contest. JCHS kicker, Gio Morales, who has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain the last two weeks would come on to attempt the game winner from 42-yards out. His kick sailed wide left and Jefferson County fell the Governors, 21-19.

“He’s been battling back” Cobble said about Morales “and like I told him I would let him kick it again 5 minutes from now, 10 minutes from now, two games from now” He added “ I believe in him.”

Jefferson County quarterback had his best yardage game to date, going 15-28 for 145 yards, while also rushing for 22 yards and had one touchdown receiving. His favorite target, Noah Carter, caught 6 balls for 74 yards. Gorel Soumare had 4 catches for 27 yards, while senior wideout, Joey Jennings added 2 catches for 9 yards. Tight End, Noah Smiley, had one catch for 11 yards while running back Dakota Cody added one for 15 yards.

The running attack for the Patriots needed a little help only totaling 80-yards for the game. Jefferson County was outgained by the Govs 386-225 in the contest but the Patriot defense did manage 4 takeaways for the contest.

Jefferson County gets back in to conference action Friday night as they travel to Cocke County for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.