Costly Victory for Dixie


Dixie was able to come from behind and then hold off a comeback attempt by Shawnee to earn a victory last Friday night. But that victory would come at a high price for the Greyhounds against their division foes. The game was emotional as both programs are resurgent this fall and it was their first SWBL matchup. A loss would make winning the Buckeye division that much tougher.

Shawnee had a great first quarter. On the opening play, sophomore Jake Jarbo broke thru the line, found daylight, and raced 79 yards for a TD. It looked like Dixie would answer but an interception by Justin Berry gave Shawnee the ball on their own 7. On that drive Kyle Letner scored on a 45 pass from Tyler Begley. Dixie was facing a 14-0 deficit.

Turnovers plagued Shawnee in the second quarter and this gave Dixie a short field several times. Almost all of the second quarter was played on the Shawnee end of the field. Aaron Copeland started things off by pouncing on a Shawnee fumble which gave Dixie the ball on the Shawnee 19. Eddie Bellman caught a Nick Worley pass to put Dixie on the board. Next was an interception by Dixie freshman Doogie Hauser. This drive fizzled thanks to a sack by Shawnee’s Aaron King. But Shawnee coughed up the ball yet again with Dixie’s Dustin Chatterton falling on the ball. Mike Hall ran for a TD after Eddie Bellman caught a Nick Worley pass to place the ball on the two yard line.

With the score tied at 14 all a determined Dixie team took the field after the half. First Eddie Bellman returned to the Shawnee 42. Then Earls carried to the 15 where he punched the ball in to put Dixie up for the first time 21-14. This sparked the Dixie defense that held Shawnee to three plays and a punt. Again Woody Earls knifed thru the Shawnee line for a 43 yard TD run. What was a close game was fast becoming a rout.

But on their next offensive series, Dixie would pay a price. Senior quarterback Nick Worley took a hit on the knee while passing and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. Dixie needed someone to step up and make an impact. Woody Earls was having a great half of football and added to his stats on the very next play with a 14 yard TD run.

Shawnee tried to take advantage of a rattled Dixie team and did manage a touchdown – Cameron Letner connected with brother Kyle for a score. Shawnee tried an onsides kick, but it went out of bounds. In a change of fortunes, a fumble recovery by Shawn Moreland briefly gave Shawnee renewed hope. But a few plays after making an interception, Woody Earls scored his 4th second half touchdown to put the ball game away for the Hounds 41-20.

Chris Tilton Sports