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| Jackets make sure Hewett era starts with a loss |
By: Stephanie Sturgis - Press Sports Editor
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Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:23 pm
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End zone bound — With Lion Alex Robinson in pursuit and GHS teammate Johnathan Benson trailing, Greenfield senior Chase McMullen (front) eyes the end zone after picking off a pass in his team's 19-0 victory over Dresden.
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Greenfield senior Chase McMullen's interception return for a touchdown late in the first half swung the momentum decidedly in the Yellowjackets' favor in their 19-0 victory over the visiting Dresden High School Lions Friday night at Harris Field in Greenfield.
Trailing 7-0 with just over two minutes left in the half and deep in their own territory, the Lions called for a halfback pass in an effort to trick the home team's defense. The play worked for a score in Dresden's scrimmage win over Fulton City, but the Jackets were better prepared.
On third-and-five from their own 16, the Lions handed off to Daniel Harris who lofted a pass down the sideline. McMullen ranged over from his middle linebacker spot, hauled in the aerial at the 30 and then rumbled across the field and through the Lions to the end zone for a score. Daniel Ricketts, who succeeded on his first PAT try of the season, was wide on his kick, leaving Greenfield's lead at 13-0 with 2:07 left in the half.
The two-touchdown deficit put Dresden's ball-control style of offense at a disadvantage. Instead of mixing rushing quarterback Isaac Bruce with passing quarterback Dale Hutcherson, the Lions were forced to take to the air more frequently.
"Turning the ball over, that was what shot us in the foot. We can't get behind in that offense. We have to play better," said Dresden head coach Scott Hewett, making his debut at the DHS helm for the second time in his coaching career.
Dresden threw two other interceptions and lost two fumbles. In addition, the Lions negated forward progress with nine penalties covering 60 yards.
On the other side of the field, Greenfield head coach Jason Rodehaver was pleased with the play of his linemen against the Lions' hefty size up front.
"That was the key. I kept telling them all week, if the offensive line and the D-line stayed low, we would win," the Jacket head man recounted.
Rodehaver also had high praise for his starting running back, Tyler Dunning. The junior, seeing his first significant varsity playing time, carried the ball 19 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
It initially looked like the Lions would score first. After forcing a GHS punt after three snaps, Dresden took over at the Jacket 44 and picked up two first downs before fumbling the football inside the 20.
Neither offense sparkled on its next two possessions with a pair of Greenfield punts and a DHS punt and a second fumble.
Chris McMullen recovered the latter fumble at the Lion 42. Four runs by Dunning later and GHS had christened its new scoreboard. Dunning's TD run covered 10 yards and provided a 7-0 lead with 9:35 left in the half.
Dresden began the second half on a high note with a 43-yard run by Zach Jolley, but the Lions gave the ball up on downs deep in Greenfield territory.
Dunning's second TD run, a 30 yard romp, came on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The season-opening win for GHS was its first since a 36-28 victory over Dresden in 2001. Dresden has lost 10 in a row.
Dresden-Greenfield, Stats
Dresden 0 0 0 0—0
Greenfield 0 13 6 0—19
Second Quarter
Gre — Tyler Dunning 10-yard run (Daniel Ricketts kick), 9:35.
Gre — Chase McMullen 30-yard interception return (kick failed), 2:07.
Fourth Quarter
Gre — Dunning 30-yard run (pass failed), 11:51.
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Dre Gre
First Downs 9 8
Rushing yards 157 142
Passing yards 28 11
Comp-Att-Int 7-17-3 1-5-0
Punts 2-33 6-29
Fumbles-Lost 5-2 2-0
Penalties-yards 9-60 2-10
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Individual Statistics
Rushing — Dresden, Zach Jolley 9-83, Zach Garner 9-29, Jonathan Body 5-22, Jackie Dean 4-17, Daniel Harris 1-6, Hunter Robinson 1-1, Dale Hutcherson 3-1, Isaac Butler 3-(-2); Greenfield, Tyler Dunning 19-134, Chase McMullen 4-5, Dakota Bills 2-2, Steven Sawyers 4-1, Ty Smithson 2-0.
Passing — Dresden, Hutcherson 6-14-1 — 24, Butler 1-2-1 — 4, Harris 0-1-1 — 0; Greenfield, Smithson 1-5-0 — 11.
Receiving — Dresden, Janes 3-17, Harris 1-9, Robinson 1-5, Jolley 1-0, Boyd 1-(-3); Greenfield, Daniel Ricketts 1-11.
Records — Dresden 0-1; Greenfield 1-0.
Next Game — Dresden will entertain the McKenzie Rebels in a Region 7-A game at Rotary Field, while Greenfield welcomes a non-region foe, the Stewart County Rebels. Both games will kickoff at 7:30 on Friday night. |
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