FOUR QUARTER FIGHT
By Terry Collins, Shea Haile Courier Sports
CARTHAGE — The 2024 high school football season got underway last Friday night with the county’s two high schools tangling at Owls Stadium. The host Owls had won two games in-a-row in the series as the Tigers were looking to break that streak.
The Big Blue used their offensive line to run the ball on 36 of 42 offensive plays to register a 20-6 victory.
“It was a huge game and a great effort by both teams,” said Gordonsville head football coach Stephen Jackson. “We challenged them at halftime and we came out and did what we wanted to do. We were able to run the football and defensively get some stops. They are a really good football team that made plays offensively and defensively. Our kids did a great job and just kept fighting — kept playing on every play. I am excited four guys who work all year to win big games like this one.”
The visitors went on a 20-0 second half run with the game hanging in the balance until the final 3:00 of the 48 minute affair.
Smith Co. trailed 13-6 and drove to the Gordonsville 15 yard line in a game-tying effort but sophomore Maddux Randolph secured the Tigers’ win with an 86 yard interception return with 2:43 left.
“We are proud of our guys and we are proud of the way they fought for four quarters,” said Smith County High head football coach Matt Dyer. “We just gave up too many big plays and we left too many plays on the field. We had a couple of dropped deep passes. We had a couple of break downs in our pass protections and our run game.”
Gordonsville was led by Bryson Grisham with 25 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown while Jemario Williams had seven rushes for 47 yards.
Backup quarterback Mason Cross performed well in his first career start as he was 3-of-6 in the air for 84 yards and a touchdown.
“We are a next man up team and Mason did a great job,” said Jackson about Cross who started for injured signal caller and last year’s Region 4-1A MVP J Foster. “He done a great job tonight. It was a tough situation to come in as a quarterback. Even if you started for four years, it is a hard game and a big rivalry game. I thought Mason did a great job leading the offense and I am proud of him. I am happy for him.”
READ MORE IN COURIER SPORTS
