Patriots Fall to Trojans by One
Friday night took the Patriots back to Morristown to face off against the Morristown West Trojans. For the second week in a row, Jefferson County had a double digit lead going in to halftime, only to loose it in the second half. The loss places more pressure on the Patriots, who even if they win out, still have a chance of not making playoffs.
The first quarter, the Jefferson County defense showed up strong. The Workman – Royster wall was almost interpenetratable, as it did not take long for the Trojans to turn over the ball on downs. Late in the second quarter, after an impressive drive by Miller, the Patriots were on the board with a 7-0 lead. Jefferson County was able to maintain the lead to round off the first quarter.
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley
Early in the second quarter, the Patriots got the ball back deep in their territory, after preventing the Trojans from scoring and forcing another 4th and long. Adkins set up deep in to the pocket to pass the ball, but instead of his intended target, the ball found its way into a West defender. The interception set the Trojans up to try to score, but the force that was the Patriot defense limited Morristown West to a field goal, cutting the Patriots lead 7-3. In the returning kickoff, Miller had a 55 yard return deep in to West territory. This time it was the Patriots that was limited to a field goal, though, extending the lead 10-7. The next drive found the Trojans deep in to Patriot territory, but once again was unable to perform in the red zone. A 29 yard field goal brought the Trojans within four of the Patriots, who now only had a 10-6 lead. The first half was far from over, though, as late in the third quarter, the Patriots drove deep in to West territory. With only 42 seconds left in the first half, a Tanner Adkins pass to Brody Moore moved the Patriots up to 16. With a good extra point kick by Alvarez, Jefferson County went in to the halftime break ahead of Morristown West 17-6.
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley
The third quarter was the beginning of where things fell apart for the Patriots. Almost midway thought the quarter, Morristown West scored their first touchdown for the evening, bringing the score ever closer, cutting the Patriots lead to five. The Trojans tried to move in for two, instead of just going for the extra point, and the Patriot defense blocked the attempt. The attempt to move the ball by the Patriots was unsuccessful, and the Trojans obtained the ball once again on downs. Just over four minutes after their first score, the Trojans found their way in to the endzone once again. The once significant lead Jefferson County boasted, was lost as the Trojans pulled ahead by one making the score 18-17.
The fourth quarter proved how battered each side of the ball truly was. As both offenses struggled, the ball would remained unmoved for the most part, and the score would remain untouched. The Morristown West Trojans defeated the Jefferson County Patriots 18-7.
Staff Photo by Angie Stanley
This week brings a much needed bye week for the Patriots, as the bruised and battered team have time to mend before facing Science Hill. The Hilltoppers will be coming to Dumplin Valley on the 19th to face off against the Patriots.
