2004 Loudon vs. Sequoyah

Redskins Lose a Heartbreaker, 21-20

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

Scoring Summary
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
LHS	0	7	13	0	20
OPP	6	0	8	7	21

On Friday, September 10th, the Loudon Redskins hosted the Sequoyah Chiefs at Dukes Field. This non-regional contest will be the fourth meeting between these two schools. The Redskins hold a slim margin (two wins versus one defeat) in this new found rivalry. Last season, the ‘Skins were pounded by the Chiefs, 35 to zero; with stats of 34 carries for -3 yards and 5 of 12 passing for 78 yards & (2) INTs.

It would be an understatement to say the Redskins had an off night. However, this team, even with it being Homecoming, will not take Sequoyah for granted, by looking past them (to Austin-East).

Captains for the Redskins were #80 Josh McQueen, #81 Adam Russell, #54 Kyle Tallent, & #86 Jesse Henry. Sequoyah won the toss, and wanted the ball.To start the game, #15 Yoni Espinoza kicked the ball through the end zone, for a touchback. The Chiefs came out throwing, a five yard completion, and then a 13 yard quarterback keeper. With a 62 yard touchdown jaunt, #3 Johnathon Jones put the visitors up by six. The extra point attempt started with a bad snap and was promptly stuffed by the Loudon “D”. The ‘Skins stalled out on downs, and tried a trick play on fourth down. The up back, #24 Josh Hawkins fired a long pass down field to #80 Josh McQueen, incomplete. Sequoyah was stopped by an interception by #7 Mark Harrison; Loudon fumbled it back four plays later. It would go back and forth like that… #3 Brandon Dixon sacked the Chief QB for -9 yards on fourth down, then the Redskins fumbled the ball back three plays later. Late in the second period, Sequoyah was driving, after a long gainer, #21 Cory Fritts stole the ball from the running back and took it to the house! 35 yards later the score, was tied, 6 to 6. The combination of #55 Tyler Roberts snap, #2 Wiley Brakebill hold, and kick by #15 Yoni Espinoza was good for the extra point. At the half, the Redskins are ahead 7 to 6.

Loudon stalled out on the opening drive of the second half, and punted. The Chiefs scored and went for a 2-pt. conversion, it was good. From there, #24 Josh Hawkins took over, scoring two touchdowns. Hawkins broke a 74 yard run, and then pounded it in from the one yard line (#15 Espinoza, extra point). After a Sequoyah punt, Loudon started on the 31 yard line. A Fritts to Fritts hook-up for 40 yards, and a 28 yard burst by #24 Josh Hawkins, put the ball on the one yard line. With the next snap, Hawkins would again pound it in for the touchdown. It was a good snap and hold, but someone got a hand on the extra point kick. This would come back to haunt the ‘Skins later. But, after three periods, the redskins are enjoying a 20 to 14 advantage. Moving on to the fourth quarter.

The ‘Skins punted. Starting on the 38 yard line, with 9:56 left in the game, the Chiefs were driving. Using 2:38 and five plays, Sequoyah scored on a 29 yard QB keeper. The go ahead extra point kick was good, making the score 21 to 20 Chiefs. There was 4:22 left in the game, and Loudon was on the move. However, quarterback #4 Fritts was sacked on back to back plays totaling -17 yards. The fourth down conversion attempt failed. Sequoyah was attempting to run some clock, when disaster struck. #7 Mark “P” Harrison recovered a fumble on the 30 yard line. The Redskins just received a new lease on life. With no time outs, quarterback #4 Cody Fritts engineered the come from behind drive. Completions to Hawkins for eight, and then 17 yards, moved the chains with the help of 30 yards in personal foul penalties. #86 Jesse Henry caught an 18 yard aerial. With just 13 seconds in regulation, a -5 yard penalty moved the ball back to the Sequoyah 17 yard line. Out comes #15 Espinoza, to attempt a 34 yard game winning field goal. Snap, hold, kick… in a heartbreaker the kick was blocked. The final score was 21-20, Sequoyah Chiefs.

LHS
• Rushing: 37 carries for 275 yds, (3) TD’s, and (2) extra points
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: 20 rushes for 219 yds, and (2) TD’s
  • #7 Mark “T” Harrison: 3 rushes for 12 yds
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: 4 carries for 12 yds
  • #4 Cody Fritts: 6 carries for -26 yds
• Passing: 5 of 13 for 111 yds, and (0) INTs (QB #4 Cody Fritts)
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: (1) reception for 28 yds
  • #24 Josh Hawkins: (2) receptions for 25 yds
  • #86 Jesse Henry: (1) reception for 18 yds
  • #21 Corry Fritts: (1) reception for 40 yds
• Misc:
  • #15 Yoni Espinoza: (2) extra point kicks (extra point & F.G. blocked)
  • #8 Tyler Campbell: (1) K.O. return for 14 yds
  • #3 Brandon Dixon: sack for -9 yds
  • #80 Josh McQueen: solid tackling and pass defense
  • # 81 Adam Russell: sack for -10 yds and (1) tackle for no gain
  • #21 Cory Fritts: stole ball, ran 35 yds for a TD
  • #7 Mark Harrison: recovered a fumble and (1)INT
  • #84 Taylor Eldridge: (1) sack for -4 yds and (1) QB hurry
• 1st Downs: 12
• Penalties: 2 for -10 yards
• Punts: 2 for a 41.5 yard avg
• Fumbles: 6, lost 3

Sequoyah Chiefs
• Rushing: 48 carries for 313 yds, (3) TD’s, (2) extra points, & (1) 2-pt. conv
  • #2 Nathan Walker: 18 rushes for 96 yds and (1) TD
  • #3 Johnathon Jones: 4 rushes for 74 yds and (1) TD
  • #4 Chris Moore: 6 rushes for 19 yds
  • #23 Michael Watkins: 17 rushes for 106 yds and (1) TD
• Passing: 6 of 15 for 48 yds, (1) 2-pt. conv, and (1) INT
• 1st Downs: 19
• Penalties: 4 for -36.5 yards
• Punts: 2 for a 29.5 yard avg
• Fumbles: 3, lost 2

The Loudon “War Party” will be on the road this Friday (9-17), as the Redskins will challenge the Austin-East Roadrunners, game time is at 7:30 pm.