Half time Waynesville 21 Dixie 6.  Dixie scores first but Waynesville answers and then some.  Penalties costly in first half.  Probably 3 times penalty yards as Waynesville.  Dixie needs to get momentum back in second half.  They can move ball, just can't afford any more mistakes against defending league champs.

Hounds Fall to Devils

Dixie got off to a fast start against Brookville in a battle of two rivals. In the first quarter Dixie seemed unstoppable. On their opening drive as Ryan Jordan peeled off a 45 yard run to set up their first score, a 8 yard TD catch by Greg Leonard.  It had only taken about 2 minutes to get on the board.  Quarterback Luke Bowling went to the air again for the extra point, this time connecting with Matt Isaacs.  A Brookville drive to the Dixie 6 was stopped by a Matt Isaacs tackle for loss on 4^th and 6 from the Dixie 6. The momentum was all with Dixie as Ryan Jordan ran for a 40 yard gain, then Luke Bowling ran on a punt for a first down to set up another Dixie score.   Ryan Jordan hauled the ball in from the 42 yard line to put Dixie up by two touchdowns.  Greg Leonard caught a pass for the extra point.  

But a huge momentum swing began in the second quarter. Brookville’s defense adjusted and began to take away the run. And the Brookville offense hit a groove and started to move the ball effectively.  Using both the run and pass, they marched the ball down the field and in two drives they scored two touchdowns to pull within 2 points – having missed on one of their extra points. Dixie did have a chance to extend their lead late in the second quarter when a shanked punt put the ball on the Brookville 29. A Leonard catch moved the ball to the 9 yard line.  But there the drive stalled as a 4^th and 5 pass fell incomplete. 

At halftime the rain and lightning moved in, postponing the second half to Saturday. The delay gave both teams some time to make overnight adjustments.  This slowed down the pace of scoring. But Brookville got the better of Dixie marching the ball to endzone twice more – once in the 3rd quarter and once in the 4^th quarter. Dixie coughed up the ball 3 times to Brookville’s 1.  Dixie also lost the battle of field position, constantly playing with the ball on their side of the field. With a short field to work with Brookville took advantage and captured a 26-16 victory.

Coach Watson commented after the game, “Coach Hetrick and the Blue Devils had a great game plan and they executed it well.  We didn’t execute the way that we should have done.  On offense we just couldn’t get anything going and played on our half of the field the entire time.  And turnovers killed us – we had three.   We’ll correct those issues before our next game against Waynesville.”

On offense, Ryan Jordan led rushers with over 100 yards. On defense, linebackers Matt Isaacs and Justin Hudson both had solid games according to coach Watson.  Looking ahead to homecoming weekend next Friday against Waynesville, “They are a real good team and a top notch program that coach Philpot has down there.  We look forward to coming back to our place and regrouping as a unit.  We are 1-0 in league play at this moment and we want to extend that.  Our goals are still intact for the season, one loss does not affect us.  What we are saying this week is that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.  Last year these guys were the best, they went 10-0 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.  This game will gauge our program and tell us which direction we are heading.”

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