Sale Creek football coach Ron Cox talks to his team after playing a quarter against Grace Saturday at Finley Stadium.
photo by Greg Davick
it cost $8 to get in Saturday’s second night of the 64th the annual Chattanooga High School
Football Jamboree … the thrill of witnessing Hixson freshman Austin Clark – a young man with down syndrome - use a convoy of teammates down the right sideline to score his first varsity touchdown late in the 20 minute quarter against Grace …
Priceless !
Forget all the other victors and heroes wearing the Black and Gold or any other school colors … Clark is the unanimous most valuable player of the weekend jamboree
Seeing the smile on Clark’s face with the ball in the end zone gives great understanding to many why so many area coaches spend hours helping kids become men and instilling important life lessons into teenagers … yet Hixson coach Jason Fitzgerald will probably say that Austin has taught him, his staff and Clark’s teammates enough life lessons to fill a few playbooks
Notes and Highlights From Saturday’s Games
Nearly Sweater Weather: With a light rain falling throughout the evening, it felt as though fans were watching football on the third Saturday in October rather than the third weekend in August.
Welcome Back Deb Martin: One of the original co-hosts of Stump-on-Sports tv show, and the lady who coined the oft-repeated phrase … -“L-A-T-E N-I-G-H-T “, Deb had surgery in June to remove a ruptured aneurysm in the front part of her brain … the jamboree games are her first official sporting event she has attended since her surgery.
Media Marriage: Nathan Cook, a longtime member of the Stump Martin Mafia, and his new bride, Caitlin were married last weekend … Cook also works for the East Ridge Parks and Recreation Dept.
Sale Creek 0, Grace 0
The excitement of playing in its first jamboree translated into good defense and strong hitting by the Sale Creek players
“We kept our heads and played well for our first jamboree under the lights in front of a big crowd,” said Sale Creek coach Ron Cox.
Sale Creek senior Cody Daniel had an interception and ran hard for the Panthers and “Jarod McGhee did well in our first game as a freshman quarterback.”
“We have got to believe right here,” stated Cox pointing to his heart in a post-game meeting.
Walker Valley 14, Howard 0
It was the Holt Spencer show as the junior running back had scoring runs of 14 and two yards as well a third – a 27-yarder on the quarter’s final play – called back due to a Mustang penalty.
Good Goal Line Stand – Howard stopped the Mustangs on first and goal as Alex Stallion recovered a fumble … but the Hustlin’ Tigers gave it right back as WV’s Ryan Baker recovered a Tiger fumble on the Howard two … Spencer scored on the next play for the 14-0 lead.
Hixson 27, Grace 0
Wildcats on the Run: Hixson scored on three runs and a pass play, recovered a fumble and had an interception to beat Grace …
Good Kicking … Home-schooled kicker Luke White (Sr.) converted on all three Wildcat extra points in his first varsity football game
Interception by Spencer Waites and a fumble recovery by K.
C. Shelton
Take it to the House: Hixson’s Isaiah Robinson scampered 70 yards on the first play from scrimmage
Austin Clark scored on a 65 yard run on the game’s last play from scrimmage ..
Wilkey to Gilkey: Hixson QB Preston Wilkey passed to Austin Gilkey for one score and later ran for another
Rhea County 14, Ooltewah 7
The victorious Golden Eagles looked ready to reverse the 2-8 record from 2012 as Jacob York had TD runs of 24 and 37 yards against the Owls … Rhea’s Demetrius Patterson also had a fumble recovery
McMinn County 14, Red Bank 0
Dre Sanders opened the scoring on a two-yard run, while teammate Trevor Crisp scored on a one-yard run in the final seconds.
East Hamilton 0, Notre Dame 0
A battle of two good defensive units … both teams should fight for their respective district titles.
East Ridge 0, Soddy Daisy 0
The night ended as it started with a scoreless tie.
Next Week: The pre-season is complete and now everything counts.
Thursday Aug 22: McCallie at Cleveland
Friday Aug. 23: Several interesting match-ups
East Hamilton at Signal Mountain … can the Eagles gain revenge for loss last year at EH?
Bradley Central at Polk County … big early season rivalry game
Boyd-Buchanan at Red Bank … both teams look to bounce back after Jamboree losses
Ooltewah at Brainerd … meeting of first year coaches
Walker Valley at East Ridge … good non-district game
Chattanooga Christian at Grace … both teams need a win to kick start the season as schedule only gets stronger later in the season
Soddy Daisy at Hixson … two longtime Hamilton County rivals
Lookout Valley at Silverdale ... a pair of Class A teams
Howard at Baylor … Baylor plays Howard and Brainerd (Sept. 13) for the first time since 1996
Marion County at Grundy County … bragging rights on the line in good county rivalry with long time football traditions … seems this game belongs in mid-October with a nip in the air on a Friday night
Chattanooga Central at Franklin County … Purple Pounders take on the Rebels
Notre Dame at Knox Catholic … good road test for young talented Irish
Sale Creek at Oakdale … interesting to see how SC players respond Friday night when the whistle starts football for keeps
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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