Patriots Swat Hornets in Home Opener, 40-22

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The Jefferson County Patriots had their home opener for the 2016 season against the Carter High School Hornets on Friday night. Thousands from the community came out to support the Patriots Football team, and to see what the tone for the rest of the season was going to consist of.

After winning the season opener against Grace Christian last week in a defensive triumph, expectations were high for the second game of the season.

During the Hornets’ first possession, Sophomore Issac Workman stripped the ball and the Patriots took possession. It didn’t take long for the Patriots to find the endzone, scoring on the opportunity and quickly pulling ahead with a Bryson Sexton pass to Blake Taylor.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

Carter was quick to answer, walking all over a Patriots defense that took a majority of the first half to show up.  On the next drive, the Hornets made a trip to the endzone and put Carter on the board. Unfortunately for the Patriots, after an incredible drive back across the field, a fumble in the redzone was recovered by Carter, and the Hornets took full advantage of the opportunity. They scored again leaving the Patriots behind 14-7.

The offense, trying to remid the Hornets exactly whose house they were in, made a drive to the endzone of about 67 yards. Sexton’s pass to Spradling was good, making it a Patriot touchdown. The extra point was blocked, though, and Jefferson County was still down 14-13.

The Patriot defense finally mentally came out of the locker room late in the first half, and forced the Hornets to punt late, with just over a minute to go before halftime. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sexton went for broke after being overcome by the hornets defense. A long pass to Chris Hawkins, that the Hornets attempted to snatch out of the air, looked like it was going to be dropped. Hawkins somehow gained control of the ball and made it to the Patriot endzone with just seconds to go in the half. A botched two-point conversion sent the Patriots in to halftime ahead only by 5, with a score of 19-14 to end the first half of play.

The second half belonged to Jefferson County. Coming out of the locker room full force, they had deferred the won coin toss to the second half, so they got the first possession of the half. They did not profit from that particular possession, so Cater gained the ball back. This was the defense’s time to shine.

After the Hornets were forced to punt, the Patriots took possession of the ball. This time Jefferson County made good on their threats, and with a push Sexton introduced himself to the endzone. With a good extra point, the lead was stretched 26-14.

It wouldn’t take long for the Hornets to have to give up the ball again, so the Patriots decided to give the crowd another reason to go wild. After driving the ball for 50 yards, Sexton rushed into the endzone for yet another Patriot Touchdown, and put a larger gap in the spread. The successful extra point made the score 33-14 to cap off the third quarter.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

Apparently, the Patriots decided they were going to try to end this game in style. Elijah Dial grabbed the ball from the Carter offense, setting up the stage for the Patriots to drive to the endzone once again. After a handoff from Sexton, Ealy strolled in to the endzone to put a finish on any chance that the Hornets may try to come back and sting the Patriots. A good extra point had the student section chanting “warm up the bus” to the tune of 40-14.

The Carter Hornets decided they weren’t done just yet, though. Late in the game they drove successfully to the endzone, scored on a short run, and made a two-point conversion. Final score for the night was 40-22.

Next week in Dumplin Valley will be the toughest fight the Patriots have seen, when former JCHS football player George Quarles brings his Maryville Rebels to see what these new Patriots are made of. Kickoff is set for 7:30.