Eagles' early sizzle fizzles in loss to Tullahoma

Sunday, October 18, 2009
By Jimmy Jones

Shelbyville linebacker Blake Sissom (56) returned an interception for a touchdown to give his team an early lead against Tullahoma on Friday night.
(T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones)
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TULLAHOMA -- It's not how you start, but how you finish.

Shelbyville Central opened with a bang against Tullahoma in a key District 8-AAA matchup Friday night with playoff ambitions hanging in the balance.

Junior linebacker Blake Sissom stepped in front of a Jared Davis pass and took it to the house from 56 yards out to put the Golden Eagles ahead 7-0 with six minutes left on the clock in the first period.

It was Central's last visit to the end zone in a 20-7 loss.

Sissom's play was even more electrifying because it came after the Wildcats (4-4, 3-1 8-AAA) were recipients of a questionable roughing the kicker call.

The Shelbyville defense had forced a three-and-out and would have taken possession deep in Tullahoma territory due to a poor exchange from the center that forced punter Corbin Hedges to pick up the ball and scramble, resulting in a kick on the run. The Eagle defense reacted to Hedges' action by promptly depositing him on his backside and were flagged.

It looked as if the Wildcats would capitalize on their good fortune until Sissom's interception three plays later.

Shelbyville quarterback Tre Stewart attempts to get the handle on a wet ball in the first quarter against the Wildcats.(T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
Undeterred, Tullahoma answered on a 61-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Zach Bryson with just 1:55 left in the half and the score remained 7-all at intermission.

Bryson finished the half with 122 yards rushing for the Wildcats.

Will Trice had 27 yards on just two carries for the Eagles (4-4, 1-3) and quarterback Tre Stewart added 26 yards on seven carries.

Shelbyville linebacker Bobby Wilson's hit forced a fumble by Tullahoma runningback Zach Bryson (25) in the third period. Bryson was ruled down by contact.
(T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones)
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The Wildcats ate up big chunks of yardage on the opening drive of the third quarter when Jacob Honea connected with Chad Bond on an 18-yard slant pattern followed by a 12-yard bolt by Bryson on successive plays.

Derek Bowles finished the drive with a 28-yard strike to Shane Hagen at the 6:44 mark to put his team ahead for a lead that they would not relinquish.

Ominous skies opened up for the rest of the game and the rain seemed to add to Shelbyville's offensive struggles as they squandered an outstanding 47-yard return by Shaq Thompson on a penalty on the ensuing kickoff.

The penalty appeared to take some wind out of the Eagles' sails. They were unable to sustain any kind of meaningful drive the rest of the game.

Bowles provided the dagger to Shelbyville's hearts with a 22-yard pitch and catch to Bond with just 14 ticks left in the third quarter. The kick failed.

Shelbyville's defense yielded 360 total yards in the game.

Shelbyville welcomes White County on Friday at 7.

Comments

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I understand as a FAN that it's hard to sit and watch Central play like they did friday night, but to have your own cheerleaders leave during the game is ridiculous....and it wasn't just a few minutes early it was the whole 4th quarter!!!

Way to go Central Cheerleaders, way to show your team/school your behind them...

-- Posted by TuckerS on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 8:48 AM

I think it had little to do with the way the team was playing and had everything to do with the rain and the mud. With the flu going around like it is personally I don't think any of them including the fans or the football players had any business being in the wet cold weather.

We need to remember this is High School sports not professional these kids do not get paid to be on this field they are there for the love of the game. They give up their time and weekends for the spirit of the school and ask nothing from you as a FAN but it is never worth risking illness nor injury for.

It is easy for a fan to sit and criticize when they are sitting in the stands with large coats rain coats, blankets and umbrellas.

-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 11:28 AM

I cannot believe that OUR Shelbyville Coaching staff stands in front of this football team and has the nerve to act as if they somehow "lead" them. They have NO IDEA that standing right behind them is 30+ players that have practiced just as hard, shown up for the hot, cold, rain etc. to STAND and WATCH the same 10-15 boys play - game after game, they might get to run A PLAY - or A KICK OFF RETURN - that's it - get off the field.

To watch a player stand on offence - go back in for defence - get hurt, have the coaching staff turn him back out to the field for a punt return is REDICULOUS and should be viewed as unfair not only to the rest of the team, but to this young man, and the school itself.

We can't win with YOUR "starting line" Golden Eagle Coaching Staff - how about you move your team around a bit, try somthing new - maybe pass the ball to the left???? Maybe take the chance that one of these other players can catch a pass???

Or maybe we play our last 2 games just like the last 4 or 5 - We will all pay to come watch you stomp around, yell at our kids like your paying them millions to play, run the same plays, get the same boys hurt - stretch 'em put 'em back in and well - loose 2 MORE!!!! Look around you - step behind the line COACH - you've got some talent you don't even SEE, and worse than that, some of them only have 2 more games with you and they graduate! You've got the fullest stands I think ever and continue to embarass the school - the parents and your players - SHAME ON YOU

-- Posted by LocalCitizen on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 7:17 PM

Wow, learn how to spell offense, defense, and ridiculous before you leave ignorant comments.

-- Posted by lucky13 on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 11:49 PM