By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
And then there were five.
Losses by Camden, Huntingdon and Milan — all state-ranked and the last two in surprising upsets — reduced the number of area unbeaten teams by three Friday night in the most stunning results of the current prep season to date.
The most noted of those surprises was South Gibson’s 20-19 triumph over tradition-rich and third-ranked (Class 3A) Milan.
The Hornet program is still in its infancy, playing in just its second full varsity season after the school opened in Medina four years ago.
West Carroll’s 30-24 upset of Class 1A’s No. 2-ranked team (Huntingdon) came on the heels of the Mustangs’ resounding 36-22 win over then-second ranked Union City last week.
The War Eagles, however, were apparently not impressed as Jacob Wynn scored the last of his three TDs in the fourth quarter to break a 24-all tie and win for the fourth time in five games.
WC’s only loss came vs. South Gibson in its season opener.
Camden’s 29-19 loss to Cheatham County was noteworthy, but not a shock as the Lions came in at No. 7 in 3A while CC was ranked eighth in the Associated Press poll.
Camden held a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but had lost standout quarterback Tanner Hudson to an injury and gave up 20 unanswered points in the final 12 minutes.
Dresden, South Gibson, Covington, Jackson North-side and USJ are the only West Tennessee teams outside of Memphis to still have unbeaten records.
The following is a recap of Friday’s games of local interest.
So. Gibson 20, Milan 19
Carlos Walden’s three-yard touchdown plunge with 25 seconds left was the game-winner for the Hornets, who are now 5-0.
Milan’s Arkel Coleman had scored his third TD with a little more than three minutes left to put the Bulldogs in front 19-14.
Quincy Walden ran the opening kickoff back 96 yards to get SG off to a good start.
Coleman rushed for 217 yards and the Bulldogs outgained South Gibson 315-200 all totaled.
West Carroll 30, Huntingdon 24
Wynn rushed for 152 yards and the War Eagle defense forced three Huntingdon turnovers in a District 13A shocker.
The Mustangs’ Jacob Warbritton was limited to 99 yards rushing a week after torching Union City for more than 200, but did throw for 109 yards and two TDs.
Cheatham Co. 29, Camden 19
Four turnovers and the loss of Hudson doomed the Lions in their first loss.
Cody Hassell rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns for Camden.
Trenton 34, Lake Co. 32
Peabody stuffed would would’ve been a tying two-point conversion with less than two minutes to go to earn a wild back-and-forth game in District 14A.
The two teams produced more than 900 yards of offense combined.
Braxton Baugus threw two touchdown passes and Ty Fields ran for 102 yards in a balanced Trenton attack that had 252 rushing yards and another 212 through the air.
LC’s Nick Price threw for 393 yards and three scores — two to Raheem Flowers who became eligible for the first time after sitting out for a full year following his transfer from Dyer County.
Westview 28, Ripley 14
Quan Williams ran for 179 of his 218 yards and two touchdowns in the second half as the Chargers posted their most impressive performance this season.
Westview won its second District 13AA games in as many starts with a great hand from its defense that did not give up a touchdown and allowed less than 200 yards in all.
Dresden 17, Bruceton 7
The third-ranked Lions (2A) overcame a sluggish performance with 17 unanswered points to remain unbeaten through five games.
Sports editor Mike Hutchens can be contacted by e-mail at mhutch@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 9.17.12