First Game, First Road Trip, First Victory! – Patriots Defeat Central Bobcats 32-20
Jefferson County Patriots defeat Central Bobcats 32-20, August 29, 2013 – Staff Photo by Tyler Bingle
It is definitely football time in Tennessee! With the Jefferson County Patriots opening up the season at the Dan Y. Boring Stadium with a smashing victory, the Patriots looked determined to go to the post season. Jefferson County Patriots took on the Central High School Bobcat’s at the Bobcat’s home turf, on Thursday evening. The final score of the game was Jefferson County thirty-two to Bobcat twenty-five.
Jefferson County Patriots won the coin toss and elected to receive, driving towards the east goal. The Patriots’ first drive of the quarter resulted in a field goal attempt that was good, putting points on the board early. The Bobcats had an impressive run scoring the first touchdown of the game, bringing the score six to three, with the Bobcats failing to earn the extra point. Jefferson County answered with their next drive also ending in a touchdown without the extra point, bring a first quarter score of six to nine. The last drive of the first quarter, which belonged to the Bobcats, ended after they had a fumble and were forced to punt.
In the second quarter, the Bobcats had yet another fumble which was recovered by Jefferson County. The fumble recovery ended with Jefferson County punting. After another Bobcat drive that ended with yet another punt, Jefferson County found the end field to add another six to their lead, making the score six to sixteen. The next Bobcat drive, though a punt ensued, Jefferson County blocked the punt attempt and scored a safety to end the half with a score of six to eighteen.
After each of the High School’s Marching Bands put on their own performance at halftime, Jefferson County kicked off to Central which ended in an outstanding eighty-eight return for their second touchdown of the game. When attempting to make the extra point Jefferson County deflected the extra point, for a score of twelve to eighteen. Two Jefferson County drives later, Jefferson County scored another six with a good extra point conversion to bring the score to twelve to twenty-five. The Bobcats next drive ended when the Patriots stopped the fourth down conversion.
The fourth quarter started with a Jefferson County fumble which was also recovered by Jefferson County. After the same drive the Bobcats had an eighty-five yard punt return that resulted in a touchdown and two point conversion, leaving the Patriots with a five point lead. The Patriots would not be denied and answered the punt return with a touchdown of their own, the last of the game, ending the score at twenty to thirty-two. The Jefferson County defense held tight and the Bobcats efforts to find the end field fell flat, giving the Jefferson County Patriots their first win of the season. The 2013 Patriots look to have bright season ahead, with quarterback Styles at the helm and experienced talent like Jones on the field. Look for some less recognizable names to come to the forefront, as the Patriots make their way into the next few games of the season. Thursday’s game proved that the Patriots are more than a two man show, no matter how talented those two men may be, and that there is depth on the field and, even, standing on the Patriot sideline. Next Friday, September 6th, Jefferson County will take their second step toward post season play as they come home to Shannon Field. The Patriots host South Doyle at 7:30 p.m.
