'Skins take advantage of second chance against Alcoa
Five weeks ago, the Loudon Redskins suffered a homecoming defeat at the hands of the Alcoa Tornadoes. After the game, the 'Skins were down and looked to be out of the playoff hunt for the season. But over the next four weeks, the Redskins stepped up theri game, came together as a team and got some much needed help as they took back control of the region and took home the regional trophy.
Friday night, the Redskins faced Alcoa for a second time this season and looked to finish what they started five weeks ago.
And in what may be one of the best efforts and most complete games of the season, the Redskins did just that. The 'Skins pounded the ball on the ground, made big plays when they had to and got a superb effort from their defensive unit, as they defeated Alcoa, 21-10.
"We played Loudon Redskin football tonight," said defensive lineman Jason Brooks.
"We finished what we started at homecoming," added senior quarterback, Cody Bowers.
It was a game that was full of big plays--most of them on the Redskins sideof the ball.
Trey Lefler stepped up with two huge interceptions in the first half, one that killed a long Tornado drive that looked to be headed for the end zone and a lead as the second quarter came to a close.
Curt Brown also stepped up in the second half with a phenomenal set of series. The first came following a huge kick-off return by Chris Rowe, after the Tornadoes had pulled within four points of the 'Skins late in the third quarter. Rowe took one of the few long kick-offs of the night and returned it to the Loudon 34-yard line.
On the next play, Bowers found Brown open and threw the ball to him at the 8-yard line. Brown spun out of several tackles and burst into the end zone to give the 'Skins an 11-point lead and seal the contest.
"That's a play we practiced all week," said Brown. "We knew I had a height advantage over their corner and we just took advantage of it."
"It all starts with our offensive line though," said Bowers. "They gave me the time to make that play."
The entire team sang the praises of the offensive and defensive lines, which was greatly maligned in the last effort against the Tornadoes.
"I give all the credit for my success to the line," said running back Josh Kerr. "They make it all possible."
The Redskins came into the contest looking for a bit of redemption and to put right a homecoming loss. In the first half, the two teams slugged it out for field position. The 'Skins showed patience early on, keeping the ball on the ground and in the hands of Rowe and Kerr. Bowers added his own wrinkle to the gameplan in the firt half, as he picked up several critical first-downs with rushes.
The 'Skins took the lead on their first possession of the evening, off a 47-yard pass from Bowers to Keith Walker. The 'Skins took an early 7-0 lead and electrificed the crowd.
It took the Tornadoes until the second quarter to answer. They tied the game with just over six minutes left in the half. The potent Tornadoes rushing attack that gave the 'Skins fits a few weeks ago had successes at times in the first half. However, strong play by Matthew Henderson and Gabe Curtis, Lefler and Brown kep the running game from exploding for a huge play.
The Tornadoes looked to take some momentum into the locker room as they drove down from their own 24-yard line to the Redskin 22, as the half ticked to a close. However, Lefler jumped in front of the ball in the end zone and stopped the drive.
The 'Skins were content to take a knee and go into the locker room tied at seven, knowing they had possession of the ball first in the second half.
They made good use of their first possessoin. They crisply took the ball down the field, 65 yards in five plays, culminating in a 37-yard strike from Bowers to Rowe to make it 14-7.
Alcoa answered the call on their next series as they drove the ball down field. However, the 'Skins defense rose to the challenge in the drive, killing it at the nine-yard line. The Tornadoes tok a field goal and pulled within four.
Then Rowe and Bowers put on a show. In just twenty seconds, the 'Skins scored off Rowe's huge return and a touchdown pass to Brown. The 'Skins took a 21-10 lead and never looked back.
In the fourth quarter, Alcoa looked to get the ball moving, but the offense sputtered at the hands of the Redskin defense. They had two possessions in the fourth, both ending in punts.
The 'Skins ran the ball to burn the clock and put the game away. Kerr got a lot of running time at the end of game to seal the victory.
The players agreed that this result felt better than the feeling they had five weeks ago.
"We showed Alcoa what Loudon football is all about tonight," said Brooks.
Coach Tim Daniels praised his team's effort.
"We're so proud of our efforts," he said. "And the coaching staff for making this possible."
Originally published in the Loudon County News-Herald, November 14/15, 1999
Back