In Medina, Tennessee, Christian County battled adverse weather conditions Friday night and took their first lead of the season — before eventually falling to South Gibson 29-18.
Of the contest’s 47 points, 33 were tallied in the second quarter alone, with Colonels quarterback J. Williams finding three touchdown passes in the stanza — a 54-yarder to Josh Bridges, and a pair to star wideout Aiden Jesse, who finished with 12 catches and more than 140 yards.
The Hornets, however, would reclaim the lead for good with 6:41 left in the third quarter on a tough swing. Christian County’s defense stood tall on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, courtesy of a pass deflection, and got the ball back needing at least 70 yards to add on to the lead.
However, on the very next play, a fumble in the end zone was recovered by Nathan Wallace for a touchdown, and South Gibson managed to create two more turnovers (both interceptions) the rest of the way.
“I’m happy that we took another step in the right direction,” noted first-year coach Ethan Atchley. “You’re looking for moments, and not necessarily moral victories, but find growth in spots where you can pinpoint that the work being done is continuing to find these kids. And these kids are finding unique ways and different ways to capitalize on and move the needle, from what a really, really low level program in terms of numbers, despair, confidence, winning attitude, and culture (is).
“But talent, as everyone knows…there’s not a lack of it. But you have to get headed in the right direction.”
Zyon Wharton led the Colonels in rushing with 73 yards, including a long gash down the left sideline to set up Jesse’s second score, and an 18-12 advantage just before halftime.
Trouble on special teams, however, would be a theme. Kicker Tyler Stokes made a touchdown-saving tackle on the ensuing kickoff, but the Hornets were able to boot a field goal just before the horn to make it 18-15.
A driving rain in town behind remnants of Hurricane Francine, Christian County had three PAT’s blocked, and a missed field goal was returned for a long gain. South Gibson also missed two PAT’s.
“Those are more points both of us left on the table, unfortunately,” Atchley added. “We’ve got to protect a little better.”
The Hornets were held to under 300 yards of offense, while the Colonels churned for nearly 400.
Turnovers, and more than 100 yards in penalties, proved to make a difference…as did a South Gibson rushing attack that churned time off the clock, and more than 246 yards.
Up Next
Christian County hosts Class 2A, District I foe Murray in a rare Saturday matchup next weekend in Stadium of Champions, with Coach Melvin Cunningham in his second season leading the program.
The Tigers (3-1) smashed Union County Friday night, 33-13, and after getting clipped by Union City, Tennessee, in the opening week have gashed crosstown rival Calloway County, Class 6A neighbor Marshall County and the Braves in successive efforts.
Atchley knows Murray senior Jeremiah Jones, a Nebraska commit, is among one of many problems the Colonels will face.
“We’ve got to find some ways to take No. 7 away, and limit his capabilities,” Atchley said. “But at the same time, where we are in the program…my No. 1 concern, and it sounds like cliché coachspeak, but I’m very, very concerned with what it is what we need to do to get better, so that we have things we can hang our hats on.”
“In key moments, with Murray’s success they’ve had this early in the season, there’s no doubt they are going to their playmakers. Our ability to go to our playmakers is slowly coming to fruition. Our ability to run the ball is becoming more and more of a capability. We couldn’t run the ball on anybody at Warren East here just a few weeks ago. Our kids have gotten better and practiced hard. And this coming week is another week and another challenge that’s a team in Murray that’s well-coached.”
SOUTH GIBSON (TN) 29, CHRISTIAN COUNTY 18
Colonels (0-3) 0 18 0 0 — 18
Hornets (3-1) 0 15 7 7 — 29
SCORING
HORNETS — Jaydon Reed 3 rush, (PAT no good), 11:00 2Q, 6-0
CC — Josh Bridges 54 pass from Williams (PAT blocked), 9:50 2Q, 6-6
HORNETS — Tyshaun Jeter 5 rush, (PAT no good), 8:58 2Q, 12-6
CC — Aiden Jesse 45 pass from Williams (PAT blocked), 7:23 2Q, 12-12
CC — Aiden Jesse 18 pass from Williams (PAT blocked), 0:33 2Q, 18-12
HORNETS — 23-yard FG, 0:02 2Q, 18-15
HORNETS — Nathan Wallace 0-yard fumble recovery, (PAT good), 6:41 3Q, 22-18
HORNETS — 10 rush (PAT good), 5:28 4Q, 29-18
STATISTICS (Provided by Joe Wilson & The Farm Staff)
RUSHING LEADERS
CC: Williams 18-50, Wharton 3-73, Catlett 3-8. HORNETS: Robinson 9-54, Reed 18-136-1, Beaver 2-5, Jeter 2-8-1, Howell 8-20, Wallace 1-23
RECEIVING LEADERS
CC: Jesse 12-142-2, Bridges 2-65-1, Wharton 2-23, Ogbes 1-11. HORNETS: Beaver 2-11, Scott 1-12, , Reed 2-16.
MISCELLANEOUS
Rushing: CC 26-131, HORNETS 40-246
Passing: CC 18-243, HORNETS 5-39
Penalties: CC 12-110, HORNETS 8-67
First Downs: CC 9, HORNETS 12
Total Offense: CC 374, HORNETS 275
