SPORTS

H.S. FOOTBALL: Crockett County falls to Trezevant

Josh Lemons
The Jackson Sun

ALAMO – Crockett County head coach Kevin Ward stressed to his players after a 20-17 loss to Memphis Trezevant Friday night that only one team ends its season with a win.

The Cavaliers, trailing by three, had a chance to tie the game and force overtime, but the 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left with less than 10 seconds left to end Crockett County’s season.

But as Ward said to his players after the game, “You can’t win it on the first play and you don’t lose it on the last play.”

Ward said he has enjoyed every team he has coached but admitted this group of seniors earned a special place in his heart.

“Ever since they’ve been freshman they’ve worked so hard to make this program what it is,” Ward said. “They’ve had classes in front of them that they have learned from.

“This group is just another group of good guys that have come through here that have set another standard for groups that are coming from behind them.”

Ward told his seniors he was not as proud of the 12-win season as he was of the work ethic the current group of seniors showed the underclassmen day in and day out.

“Hopefully the next group learned a lot from them and can be as successful as they’ve been,” Ward said.

After Crockett County fumbled its first snap on offense, Trezevant drove 51 yards on a 10-play drive to take an early 8-0 lead.

It only took three plays for the Cavaliers to respond as senior running back Johnny Jones broke open a 46-yard touchdown run. Jones finished with 134 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

Senior kicker Nolan Porter nailed a 36-yard field goal with 40 seconds left to give Crockett County a 10-8 halftime lead.

But the lead did not last long as Trezevant took the second half kickoff 67 yards for the 14-10 lead. The Purple Bears forced a three and out then blocked the fourth down punt to set up a first and goal on the Cavalier eight-yard line.

Two plays later senior quarterback Jordan Spencer punched it in from three yards out to give Trezevant a 10-point lead.

But the Cavaliers didn’t give in, marching the ball down 60 yards in a 15-play drive that included two fourth down conversions.

“That’s the mentality of this football team,” Ward said. “They never quit and they keep chopping.

“We had an opportunity at the end and that’s all we can ask for.”

Fittingly, the captain and senior quarterback Cade Parlow led the team in a prayer before walking off the field one last time.

“If I was ever fortunate enough to have a son I’d hope he’d turn out like Cade,” Ward said.

Josh Lemons, 425-9636