It was ‘Bounce Back Friday’ for both Huntingdon and Milan.
The Mustangs and Bulldogs — each of whom suffered their first losses of the season in stunning upsets a week ago — rebounded with impressive victories against quality competition on Friday.
Huntingdon, a 30-24 surprise loser the week before at West Carroll that dropped the Ponies from No. 2 to sixth in the Class 1A state rankings, beat Camden (No. 9 in 3A) 28-21.
Fifth-ranked Milan, meanwhile, which dropped a 20-19 thriller to South Gibson in Week 4 that cost it two spots in the 3A poll, responded by whipping Crockett County 44-7.
The following is a recap of those games and others of local interest from rural West Tennessee on Friday.
H’don 28, Camden 21
Jacob Warbritton rushed for 229 yards and all four Huntingdon touchdowns.
Warbritton went over the 1,150-yard mark for the season with his latest stellar showing and helped the Mustangs (5-1) to a 21-0 lead in the fourth quarter with scoring runs of 5, 15 and 52 yards.
Camden (3-2) played without standout quarterback Tanner Hudson who suffered a ruptured spleen in the Lions’ loss to Cheatham County in Week 4.
Hudson reportedly could return in time for the playoffs, should Camden make the postseason.
Huntingdon will travel to Gleason this week.
Milan 44, Crockett Co. 7
Arkel Coleman rushed for 199 yards and four TDs before leaving the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury to lead the Bulldogs.
Coleman hit paydirt on runs of 78, 23, 1 and 67 yards.
CC, now 4-2 after losing decidedly to District 13AA’s top two teams, managed only Donovan Mayfield’s touchdown run in the second quarter.
Milan (4-1) will travel to Westview while the Cavaliers will look to break a two-game losing skid against Dyersburg this weekend.
Lake Co. 52, Fulton 12
Devon Jones ran for two TDs, caught a pass from Nick Price for another and returned a punt 72 yards for a fourth score as the Falcons overwhelmed outmanned Fulton City.
Jones rushed for 177 yards on just 10 carries, and caught a touchdown pass from Price — as did Raheem Flowers.
Lake County will enjoy an open date before hosting Union City on Oct. 5.
Humboldt 28, McKenzie 7
Nic McLilly rushed for more than 200 yards for the third straight game as H’boldt won its third in a row.
McLilly had TD dashes of 61, 60 and 79 yards for the Vikings, who scored 28 unanswered points after McKenzie had taken a 7-0 lead on Collin Smith’s scoring pass to Ty McClain.
The Rebels fell to 1-4 and will travel to Bruceton this week. Humboldt (3-2) hosts Halls on Friday.
Greenfield 25, Bruceton 21
The Yellowjackets broke a 15-game losing that dated back to the 2010 season and gave rookie head coach Don Pitt and former Greenfield all-stater Don Pitt his first victory.
G’field won despite losing starting quarterback Jeffrey Johnson in the first half after he was ejected for throwing a punch, according to the officials.
Freshman John David Ricketts stepped in and completed 6-of-6 passes for 130 yards and three TDs, including the 38-yard game-winner to Tanner Smithson with 5:27 left.
Austin Pence ran for 176 yards for Greenfield.
Now 1-4, the Yellowjackets will look for their second win this week with a trip to South Fulton.
Bruceton (1-5) will host McKenzie on Friday.

Published in The Messenger 9.24.12