DRESDEN, Tenn. – Time and tough breaks sent the Rockets home from Tennessee Friday with a 20-13 loss to Dresden in their final regular-season game of the season.
The Lions, ranked No. 9 in the Volunteer State’s Class A, used a trick play, partially blocked punt and a scoop and score fumble recovery to beat Crittenden County on a muddy night in west Tennessee.
It was the first time in history that the Rockets have lost to a team from the Vol State. They were 3-0 previously against Tennessee teams.
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| Rocket senior Zech McGahan recovered a Lion fumble in the first quarter |
Dresden scored three times in the third quarter. Once on a 72-yard double pass and another on fumble that Jaylyn Mitchell picked up and retuned 24 yards for the Lions. Their other TD, the only one on a sustained drive, after Preston Morgeson’s punt was partially blocked and recovered by CCHS on fourth down.
CCHS scored on a Trace Derrington 10-yard pass from Luke Crider in the fourth quarter. On its final series in the last two minutes, Crittenden moved the ball to the Lions' 22, but ran out of time and downs.
Crittenden scored in in the first period after senior linebacker Zech McGahan recovered a fumble at the Lions 30-yard line. Gattin Travis scored a few players later on a 16-yard run.
Rain in the first half limited both teams from gaining too much through the air. Staying mostly on the ground both quarterbacks were top gainers as Luke Crider rushed for 94 yards and Lion Tatum Oliver ran for 55. Crider had a 49-yard run that took CCHS deep into Dresden territory, but drive fizzled just in front of the goal line at the Lions’ two. Crittenden had two drives in the first half that got into Dresden territory, but the Rockets turned the ball over on downs.
Crider finished with 114 yards rushing and the Dresden QB had 175. Both led their teams.
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| The Rocket defense makes a big stop deep in its own territory |
The Lions turned the ball over twice in the first half. The Lions’ QB was picked off by senior Rocket defensive back Trace Derrington on the final play of the second period. The Lions had gotten the ball back in CCHS territory with four seconds to go in the half as the Dresden defense stripped the ball out of Crider’s hands in the pocket and recovered the fumble.
Four times in the game, CCHS was stopped on fourth down in Dresden territory as the Rocket offense continued to have trouble scoring.
"This one hurts. We felt like we had a lot of opportunities to win this one," said Rocket coach Gaige Courtney. "Like I told them, nothing matters up to now... it's up to them, but we have a short time to figure it out."
Crittenden will host Fulton County next week in the opening round of the Class A playoffs. It could be the final game at the existing Rocket Stadium and a new school and football field are set to built on the site.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden Co. 7 0 0 6
Dresden, Tenn. 0 0 20 0
SCORING PLAYS
CC-Gatting Travis 16 run (Morgeson kick) 6:38, 1st
D-Oliver 1 run (Maddox kick) 6:00, 3rd
C-Derrington 10 pass from Crider (kick failed) 5:47, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: CCHS 13, DHS 9
Penalties: CCHS 6-55, DHS 7-61
Rushing: 35-164, DHS 34-205
Passing: 13-25-0, 145; DHS 4-11-2, 89
Total Yards: CCHS 309, DHS 294
Fumbles/Lost: 5-2, DHS 1-3
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
CCHS: Crider 21-114, Travis 12-49, Piper 1-2, Morgeson 1-(1). DHS: Turnbow 3-(-1), Jett 5-15, Eddings 3-6, Oliver 23-175.
CCHS: Crider 13-25-0, 145. DHS: Oliver 3-9-2, 17. Eddings 1-2-0, 72
Records: Crittenden 4-6, Dresden 7-3.
