Here is what really happened.
"Questionable calls mar Bearden loss at Smyrna 17-14"
One could tell it was a first class operation. Upon turning
off Nissan Drive onto Bulldog Drive, visitors were greeted with
light wand-waving attendants who directed them to the next
available parking space. The stadium had ample concrete
bleachers on the visitor???‚¬?„?s side that rivaled many local schools???‚¬?„?
entire complex. The home side was huge. The
restrooms were immaculate. The Smyrna Bulldogs are the reigning
state 5A champs. The infl uence of Nissan money and that of other
fringe businesses that support the huge auto plant just across
the street was apparent. Smyrna High School runs a fi rst class
football operation. This championship experience
became noticeable early in the game as the Bearden Bulldogs
exhibited a mild case of the jitters. After the fi rst possession,
Bearden punted and the coverage broke down, which allowed the
Smyrna speed to set up the fi rst touchdown. Just a little over two
minutes into the game, the Bulldogs
in purple and yellow drew fi rst blood.
Questionable calls mar Bearden loss at Smyrna 17-14 On the ensuing drive, Bearden
experienced what was to become a recurring theme for the night
???‚¬??? the hospitable ???‚¬?“home cooking.???‚¬?? After Brandon Pemberton
burst through the middle of the Smyrna defense to be dragged
down on the Smyrna 26-yard line, Dawson Halliday completed
a pass to Madison English to the 17-yard line only to see the ball
turned over on a questionable fumble call.
The fi rst half ended after a series of Bearden mistakes that
could be attributed to the ???‚¬?“championship jitters???‚¬?? with Smyrna on
top 17-0. The Bearden ???‚¬?“Wrecking Crew???‚¬??
defense settled down in the second half to contain the vaunted Smyrna
offense. The offense seemed to gain its rhythm and the Smyrna
cooks in striped shirts opened up the kitchen. First it was a series
of unfavorable Bearden spots on short yardage situations and then
it became blatantly clear when a Halliday to Darious Dubose pass
was caught for a touchdown and was ruled out-of-bounds.
But it was a touchdown.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. And as time was
ticking away late in the fourth with 3:52 remaining, Cory Eichholtz
caught a Halliday pass that had been tipped by two Smyrna
defenders to tumble into the endzone for Bearden???‚¬?„?s fi rst score.
Bearden kickoff specialist, senior Jon-Michael Craze, set
the ball for the onside kick. The Bulldogs in white executed it to
perfection as Craze???‚¬?„?s kick landed precisely on the 50-yard line and
the Bearden assault team demolished the Smyrna receivers while
the snatchers covered the ball. Bearden worked the ball to the
Smyrna 9-yard line with passes to English and Torey Works. Halliday
hit C.J. Gunn over the middle for Bearden???‚¬?„?s second touchdown
with 1:17 remaining. Brandon Reagan???‚¬?„?s point after kick was good
and the score stood at 17-14. Craze again precisely placed
the ball near the 50-yard line. The Smyrna receiver made the mistake
of jumping forward to the 49 to catch it, only to be upended by
the Bearden assault team. Matt Williamson and Works combined
to recover the kick, only to have the chefs in striped shirts
rule that the ground caused the fumble. Unless the ground had
mysteriously been elevated a foot in the air, this was not the case,
as the ball clearly fell out of the purple-clad Bulldog???‚¬?„?s hands on
his way to the ground. The Wrecking Crew once again
stuffed the Smyrna offense and after some dithering about by
the cooks, Smyrna fi nally punted with 13.7 seconds remaining. The
piddling around by the offi ciating crew had cost Bearden more than
11 precious seconds. And so the dream ended as English
caught a Halliday pass deep in Smyrna territory and was shoved
out of bounds as time expired. If you???‚¬?„?re ever in Smyrna, stay
away from the Zebra Caf???© located at 100 Bulldog Drive. The food is
really lousy there.
All Bearden fans, parents, players, students etc...
Don't worry, TSSAA is aware of this game and it is being investigated. Although we all know that it changes nothing, at the very least those officials have worked their last game. Also, if you haven't allready done so, go to the TSSAA website and click on feedback and say your peace.
SMYRNA FANS: realize that no one is blaming you all for anything. You were also robbed of a clean win with no controversy.