Patriots Downgrade Hurricanes, 25-0
The Jefferson County Patriots, still hyped from their comeback win against Sevier County last week, traveled to Morristown East High School Friday night.
Staff Photo: Angie Stanley
The first quarter started off with the Hurricanes unable to move the ball, and it only took a couple minutes for the Patriot defense to force a turnover on downs. After a long gain by Jefferson County’s Darius Allen, on the second play of the drive, the Morristown East defense forced a fumble and retrieved possession of the ball. With good field position, the ‘Canes fumbled on the snap, and Patriots got the ball back on the 26. This set the tone for a good majority of the game, as Kris Hawkins took the give and ran it in for the first Patriot touchdown of the evening. The extra point was unsuccessful. The Patriot defense was simply too much for the Hurricanes to handle, as they were forced to return the ball on downs once again.
As the Patriot offense was still trying to find their groove, Morristown East defense was able to hold Jefferson County to the single score in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, the Patriots were able to drive from the 6 in Hurricane territory all the way to the 10, and setting up for another Jefferson County touchdown. Unfortunately, the Patriots could not cash in on the drive, and were forced to try for a field goal. After being shanked just to the right, the attempt was no good, and the Hurricanes got the ball back in their possession. Morristown East tried for a long pass, to gain some ground on the field, but Jefferson County’s Ben Royster grabbed the pick 6. He was able to run the ball back to the endzone, allowing the Patriots to expand their lead 12-0. The try for the two point conversion was unsuccessful, and Jefferson County went into the half ahead of Morristown East 12-0
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley
The second half had the same tone as the first. The Hurricane offense just could not find the holes, if any, in the Patriot defense. As soon as Morristown East could find some progress, the defense for the Patriots would tighten up and gain possession of the ball again. The Hurricane defense would gain possession, but the Jefferson County defense would stop the progress. With 5:15 left in the third, Jefferson County’s Kris Hawkins introduced himself to the endzone once again, leaving the Hurricanes down by 18.
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley
By the time the 4th quarter came around, the Hurricanes had no wind in their sails, and the Patriots seemed like they were just getting started. The Hurricane defense was successful in their efforts to stop the Patriot offense, but Jefferson County’s defense proved they had more up their sleeve. With just over four minutes left in the game, the Patriots’ Bradee McCoy, a freshman, grabbed up a pick 6 and ran in for his first touchdown. That was all the Jefferson County Patriots needed to seal the deal on the shutout, and downgrade this hurricane to nothing more than an angry thunderstorm.
The Jefferson County Patriots will be back home for the first time this season on Friday. The Bearden Bulldogs will be traveling to Dumplin Valley. The last time the two faced off was back last September, and Bearden defeated the Patriots 23-0. Needless to say, this home opener will be one tough matchup. Kickoff is at 7:30 at Leroy Shannon Field.
