KINGSTON SPRINGS – Cheatham defeated Harpeth by a score of 14-12 to win the Daniel Greer Memorial
Axe last Friday.
Cheatham’s special teams got things started with a touchdown on the first possession of the game as
they blocked a Harpeth punt and ran into the end zone.
“We made a couple mistakes in the kicking game, and it cost us the game,” Harpeth coach Doug Loope
said. “Special teams are (very important) in a game that close.”
Cheatham held a 7-6 advantage after the first quarter and held on to that advantage until the third
quarter, when Harpeth scored again to give the Indians a 12-7 advantage.
Cheatham came back to score in the fourth quarter and took a 14-12 lead. Harpeth had a field goal try
from within the five-yard line with under a minute to go in the game. But a bad snap took away that
scoring opportunity.
“It was a competitive game, undecided until the last minute of play,” Loope stated. “Both squads played
their hearts out, like high school football is supposed to be. Those mistakes in the kicking game
ultimately cost us a win.”
After winning the first game of the season, Harpeth (1-9) ended with nine straight losses. Injuries riddled
the team all season, especially after losing quarterback Thomas Sloan and running back Luke Gossett.
Cheatham’s season came to an end at 2-8 overall. The Cubs’ last win came in August against Whites
Creek. Interim coach Dwayne Daniel will likely be a candidate for the permanent head coaching job at
Cheatham, but the future of the program is still undecided.
“I have a lot of respect for Harpeth,” Daniel said. “It was a good, hard-fought game. I’m glad we brought
the Ax back home (to) end the season with a win.”
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