Jefferson County Patriots Fall to Hardin Valley Hawks, 35-0

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

After an exciting win against William Blount for homecoming last week, the Jefferson County Patriots traveled to Knox County to face off against Hardin Valley Academy.

After winning the coin toss, the Patriots chose to deflect until the second half, giving the Hawks first dibbs on the ball. Despite several effective tackles from Jefferson County’s Tucker Seay, it didn’t take long for Hardin Valley to come out the gate running with a quick first drive touchdown.  Unfortunately for the Patriots, the Hardin Valley Hawks set the tone for most of the the game. Defensively, the Patriots set up a wall around the Hawks for most of the first quarter of play. The Hawks offense had a hard time penetrating the wall that was Isaac Workman and Tucker Seay.

The second quarter had a different look, as Hawks running back Aaron Dykes proved to be slightly faster in the backfield.  Early in the second quarter, the Hawks found the endzone, and with a good extra point, were already up 14-0. Patriots quarterback Bryson Sexton and runningback Kris Hawkins had a tough time against the Hardin Valley defense for most of the evening.  The Patriots defense had trouble keeping up with the speed of Hawks running back Dykes and Wide Reciever Thomas Clay throughout most of the first half.  Late in the second quarter the Hawks would make it into the endzone once again. Halftime found the Patriots down 21-0.

The opening of the second half had the ball in Patriot hands, and it appeared that they entered the third quarter with a new found energy.  The Patriots defense forced a couple turnovers, but the offense was unable to cash in even though they were moving the ball much better than in the first half.  Neither team was able to push the ball down the field until late in the third, when the Hawks scored once again with 1:15 left in the quarter.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

Any hope of a Volunteer-like comeback was taken away early in the fourth quarter, when, with just over 9 minutes left in the game, the Hawks flew in to the endzone once more.  The Patriots Defense kept the fight up, and refused to let Hardin Valley score again, but, unfortunately, what had been done was done, and the Jefferson County Patriots returned to Dumplin Valley defeated 35-0.

The next task at hand for the Patriots will be hosting the Science Hill Hilltoppers from Johnson City.  The Hilltoppers are coming off of an impressive win against William Blount, who they crushed 50-21.  Science Hill lost against Hardin Valley last week 23-7, so this could be a tough matchup on Shannon Field, Friday at 7:30.