WILD SHOOTOUT; Offensive explosion, late Big Blue surge highlight 45-35 GHS loss at Bledsoe Co.

By Shea Haile Courier Sports

PIKEVILLE — A combined 80 points and 709 yards of total offense was the storyline in the Gordonsville High Tigers 45-35 loss to Class 2A elite Bledsoe County last Friday night in high school football action. 

As the fourth quarter began, Gordonsville trailed 35-14. Big Blue outscored the hosting Warriors 21-10 in the last 12 minutes resulting in the 10 point final margin. 

“I thought that was awesome,” said Gordonsville head football coach Stephen Jackson. “It was 35-14 and the kids had a choice — you can either fight or give up. The kids fought.”

“I thought our kids did a great job. They played as hard as they could and we just have to clean the mistakes up.”

The Tigers fell to 6-3 overall with the defeat as they now set sights on their regular season finale clash with Clay County for the Region 4-1A crown in Celina. 

Bledsoe County, the fifth-ranked team in Class 2A according to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association poll, improved to 8-1 overall with the victory. 

Penalties marred the non-region clash as 22 total flags were enforced including 14 for 120 yards against the visiting Big Blue. 

“We could not get out of our own way,” said Jackson. “We would get them in fourth and five — we lineup offsides, third down and we lineup offsides and late hits — those are things we just cannot do in a big game and beat the fifth ranked team in 2A. It is something we have to correct and quickly.”

Gordonsville posted 403 yards of total offense as the unit featured a balanced attack with 213 yards through the air and 190 via the rush. 

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