|
|
|
 2003 Summaries |
|
Eagles Spread Wings
 | |  | | Photo by Ryan Smith / Rome News-Tribune |
Eagles spread wings
07/24/03
Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
After their first trip to the playoffs in recent memory in 2002, the Coosa Eagles are back in full swing and hoping for a repeat trip.
The Eagles started their first week of official practice Monday and have spent the last few days, like everyone else, in helmets and shorts, getting back to the basics.
“We’re just putting in some things,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler. “There is not a whole lot you can do (before putting on pads Monday).”
Chandler and his staff have been able to do more already than they did last year, since most of the coaches have been in place for a year.
Last year was Chandler’s first year as head coach and he has everyone from last year’s staff except former assistant coach Josh Lowe, who took a head coaching job in Alabama.
Since Lowe’s departure, David Ross has come on board as defensive coordinator and J.J. Owens returned to his alma mater to coach receivers after a stint at East Paulding.
“We had the whole coaching staff here all summer and that has helped more than anything,” Chandler said. “They are there to encourage and make the kids accountable.”
The core of Coosa’s leadership on the field has returned as well, including veteran linebacker Trae Martin, running back Patrick Dupree and quarterback Blue Cooper, all of whom have playoff experience.
The biggest losses for the Eagles were Rome News-Tribune All-Area running back Chris Fife and linebacker Michael Karakos.
The majority of Coosa’s starters will consist of juniors and sophomores and that bodes well for the Eagles’ future, according to Chandler.
And the plus for this year? Those same players have game experience.
“We have a lot of leadership from our key players,” Chandler said. “I think the whole program is excited.”
The excitement is tempered by the pressure of making the playoffs again, Chandler said, and being successful in Region 6-AA will take a lot of work.
“I think the region is going to be tough,” Chandler said. “You might not have the glitz of Region 6-AAA, but every time you go out, you have to be ready to play.”
The Eagles scrimmage Pepperell and White County before opening the season by hosting cross-the-border foe Cherokee County, Ala.
Coaching Staff Comes Together
This years Coosa High School coaching staff has a few new faces but the same committment to excellence as last years staff. New Coaches David Ross, J.J. Owens, and Phillip Thompson bring fresh ideas and methods to the banks of "Beautiful" Eagle Creek while adapting them to Coach Chandlers coaching philosphy. Coach Randy Vice, a mainstay of the CHS Staff has moved from his logistical role to that of the kicking coach. The remainder of the staff have continued in their roles from the 2002 Playoff Eagles.
Coosa takes on Pepperell in Early Scrimmage
|  | | Coosa's Coach Chandler looks on as Eagles Practice | |
08/14/03
By Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
Email this story to a friend
Football coaches always try to keep the record straight when it comes to scrimmages, saying there is no winner and no loser.
And that’s mostly true.
“We plan on treating it like a practice for the most part,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler, whose Eagles face Pepperell in a scrimmage at 8 tonight in Lindale.
“But we want to come out on top and have success. If you have a winner or a loser, we’d like to be considered the winner.”
Coosa and Pepperell are two of nine schools in Greater Rome involved in the second week of preseason scrimmages tonight.
Quarterbacks Do Well for Both Teams in Scrimmage
By Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
It wasn’t really a coming out party for Coosa’s Blue Cooper ...
2003 Schedule
Saturday, August 23
Coosa Defeats White County 35-12 in Scrimmage Game
Coosa Eagles clash with White County
Combined from two articles by Eric Green, Rome News-Tribue
Patrick ...
Eagles Head to White County
| |  | | photo by Julie Brown / Rome News-Tribune |
08/21/03
Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
After all it’s only a scrimmage and who wants to dig out a map and find the easiest way to White County just to scout that?
“We’re hoping not too many people will go to White County to see us,” Chandler said with a laugh. “We’ll be trying some different things to help us prepare for Cherokee County (Ala.). Maybe Cherokee County won’t go see us.”
White County (in Cleveland) is easily a two and a half hour trip on a big yellow school bus, but it’s a haul worth taking, since the Warriors are dead ringers for Cherokee County in a lot of ways, Chandler said.
“They will throw a lot like Cherokee,” Chandler said. “I hope it will prepare us a little bit.”
The Eagles have been defending against the pass all week since White County likes to air it out and so does Cherokee County.
But Chandler and company will be forced to switch gears after the first week because the Eagles’ opponent in Week 3 is run heavy Trion.
“Trion will run it down your throat,” Chandler said. “So we’re lucky to have an open week before Trion so we can get physical again.” Offensively, the Eagles continue to refine their passing game as well, which they unveiled with some success against Pepperell in a scrimmage last week.
“I’ve been real pleased with (quarterback) Blue Cooper,” Chandler said. “We’ve been on him a lot trying to get him to understand the changes at the line and where people are.
“But let’s not kid ourselves, we know that in this region people still run the ball,” he added. “But when the defenses pack it in there you’ve got to throw.”
Throwing was a problem for Coosa last season with Cooper being a first time starter as a sophomore, but after constant work and workouts during the offseason, it looks to be a strength this year.
“What happened last year was people realized we couldn’t throw it real well and it affected us later in the season,” Chandler said. “Now we can throw it.”
Another added dimension for Coosa is a fairly reliable kicking game and that is something else they’ll work on against White County.
“We’ll go through all the kicking game, but it won’t be live,” Chandler said. “The scrimmage will be set up with two 12 minute quarters in a live game situation and one 12 minute quarter for junior varsity.”
Against Pepperell, the Eagles and Dragons had 12 full minutes each on offense and defense and while Chandler liked that format, he said he prefers a more game type situation.
“You were guaranteed to have the ball 12 minutes, which helps,” he said. “But you also have to stay on defense 12 minutes and that can be hard. You stop them, stop them, stop them and you’re still out there.”
Chandler remains optimistic that the Eagles can return to the playoffs for the second straight year and he hopes his team will begin proving that this weekend.
“This week has been hot and we’ve been dragging a little,” he said. “We had some good intensity Friday and I think we have a chance to be competitive and win some games. Making the playoffs is still a goal.”
2nd Annual Batlle of the Border
Coosa v. Cherokee: Rome News-Tribune Article
Heartbreaker: Cherokee County Wins on Last Second Pass
| |  | | Photo:Julie Brown / Rome News-Tribune |
By Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune
Playmakers make plays. It’s just that simple.
Cherokee County, Alabama’s playmakers made literally one more than Coosa High’s on Friday as the Warriors defeated the homestanding Eagles 23-21 as time expired.
With 1.7 seconds left to play, Cherokee County’s heralded quarterback, Skylar Ray, found his favorite target Maurice Dupree to push the Warriors to a season-opening win.
“I had just chewed out my quarterback for getting sacked,” said Cherokee County coach Thomas Curry. “But he kept his confidence and came back and got the ball in the end zone.”
With less than a minute to play in the game Cherokee County converted a critical fourth-and-one situation on Coosa’s 25 to keep the eventual winning drive going.
After two incomplete passes by Ray, he found Adam Wickham on a 14-yard pass to push the ball to the six-yard line.
Ray followed with two incompletions and the clock stopped with 1.7 seconds to play after the second miss.
On third and goal, Ray dropped back and found Dupree wide open after a Coosa defender slipped.
“We knew they were going to throw the ball and on the last play, we slip,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler. “We didn’t even have a chance to compete for it.”
Coosa dropped to 0-1 on the season and Cherokee County, No. 10 in Alabama’s Class 4A improved to 1-0.
The Eagles had major luck running the football in the first half and used the legs of yet another Dupree to put their first score on the board.
Patrick Dupree, Coosa’s starting running back, put the Eagles on the board midway through the first quarter on a six-yard run that capped a six-play drive.
Dupree found the end zone off two stellar blocks by guard Brandon Carter.
Following the point after Coosa held a 7-0 lead.
The Warriors took over deep in their own territory and a block in the back on the kickoff pushed them back to their own six.
Following a one-yard run by Jeffery Wood, Ray followed with a pass over the middle to Maurice Dupree who shimmied and juked his way to a 93-yard touchdown. The game was tied following a Gerrick Glass PAT.
Coosa got on the board again in the second quarter thanks to their own brand of Dupree yet again.
After a nine-play drive that began after an Adrian Smith interception, the Eagles scored on a 10-yard jaunt by Patrick Dupree.
During the drive Coosa’s Dupree had runs of 28 and 13 yards. The Carlos added his second PAT and Coosa led 14-7.
Glass put the Warriors within four on a 15-yard field goal late in the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Eagles began to bend defensively in the fourth quarter, while costly penalties managed to trim the offense’s productivity.
Midway through the final period, Cherokee County began marching down the field and eventually found the end zone on a pass from Ray to Wickham from nine yards out.
After the Glass PAT, the Warriors led 17-14.
Coosa countered with a touchdown run from Matt Staples from two yards out set up by a third down run by quarterback Blue Cooper.
That would be the last time Coosa found paydirt.
Ray finished the game 13-for-24 through the air with 226 yards and and two interception.
Coosa’s Dupree led all rushers with 195 yards and two touchdowns before going out with a minor ankle injury.
Coosa’s Trae Martin finished with 12 tackles and three catches for 48 yards.
The Eagles have next week off, returning to action Sept. 12 visiting Trion.
Ready for Redemption : Eagles Take on Trion
Coosa and Trion both seek to rebound from bitter losses when they clash tonight.
09/11/03
By Erik Green, ...
Eagles Fall Hard at Trion
It was one of those nights when the team was coached by Coach Murphy, you know the guy, famous for his Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong will". The Eagles had 7 turnovers and gave up 56 points as they fell to the #2 Trion Bulldogs 56-7. Coosa's only points came courtesy of Chris Jones' 20 yd. T.D. pass to Chris Clemmons followed by the Carlos's4th consecutive extra point conversion (7th counting pre-season scrimmage). Clemmons caught Jones very well thrown pass in the flats and outran the Trion defense for the score. The Eagles hope to regroup this week before travelling to Rockmart for their first Region 6AA contest against a solid Yellow Jacket team.
Eagles Defeat Rockmart in Region Opener
By Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
ROCKMART — The Coosa Eagles got their first win of the season Friday, besting Rockmart 20-7 in the Region 6-AA opener for both teams.
The game started slowly until a 20-yard pass by Coosa’s Blue Cooper to Trae Martin put the Eagles just outside the Rockmart 20-yard line.
A couple of passes to Matt Staples and Patrick Dupree moved the Eagles closer and Cooper delivered a 13-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Smith. The Carlos made his first PAT of the night and Coosa was up 7-0 after eight minutes of play.
The drive accounted for nearly half of Coosa’s 68 passing yards.
Rockmart junior Lasiah Hutchins went in at quarterback to start the second half but was held to a one-yard gain by the Coosa defense. The Yellow Jackets punted, setting up a 75-yard Eagle touchdown drive.
Dupree racked up 34 yards rushing on the drive, including a 3-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Coosa lead.
Starting quarterback Terry Albert returned to try and spark Rockmart, but could not find his passing rhythm. However, LaTrenton Peek had a 10-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 14-7 after the PAT by freshman Brad Brumbelow.
With 1:24 left in the game, the Eagles punted to start the final Jacket drive at the Rockmart 27.
Albert went for it on fourth-and-11, but Smith intercepted the pass and returned it 28 yards for the last touchdown of the game as time expired.
Coosa battles Armuchee next Saturday at Barron Stadium in the 56th annual Shrine Classic. Rockmart travels to Darlington next Friday.
Eagles to Face Armuchee in the Shrine Game
Coosa High School is fortunate to be able to participate in this years Shrine Game. Eric Greens Article below ...
Eagles Keep Shrine Title
| |  | | photo: Ryan Smith Rome News-Tribune |
By Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
Email this story to a friend
A light rain and wet field conditions didn’t deter Coosa’s Matt Staples from having the game of his career Saturday night in the 56th annual Shrine Game.
Staples rolled up 155 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles defeated Armuchee 34-0 in a Region 6-AA contest at Barron Stadium.
“My line blocked well and that opened the holes,” Staples said. “I guess that equals lots of yards.”
Staples tallied 103 yards in the first quarter alone, and added 40 more in the second quarter to finish the half with 143 yards.
With the Eagles (2-2, 2-0) leading 31-0 to start the second half, Staples’ carries were limited in the third, but he still managed 12 yards on three carries.
Chances are, Staples would have eclipsed the 200-yard barrier early in the third quarter at the rate he was going.
The starting offense had its back to the crowd, sitting on the sidelines early in the third quarter and they stayed there.
With normal starter Patrick Dupree out with an ankle injury, few expected the Eagles’ running game to be as successful as it was on Saturday.
But Staples and his younger brother Andy — Coosa’s fullback — proved to be an amazing duo.
“(We) both ran well and that probably helped me a whole lot in getting the opportunity to play more down the road,” Matt Staples said.
Ya think?
“It might have been a blessing in disguise that Patrick got hurt,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler said. “Matt is a great back and he and Dupree will be a good 1-2 punch when (Dupree) gets back.”
Coosa had 244 yards of total offense in the first half to Armuchee’s 53 and led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles drew first blood Saturday, using just five plays to score the opening points of the night.
After three big runs by Matt Staples, Coosa’s Blue Cooper found Adrian Smith from 29 yards out. Following the Carlos point after, the Coosa lead was 7-0.
Coosa struck again with 5:35 to play in the opening period, when Andy Staples took the ball in from 9 yards out. After the PAT it was 14-0.
Coosa went up by three touchdowns with 1:29 to go in the first when Matt Staples finally got rewarded for his work and took it in from five yards out.
Staples got the call again with 8:03 to play in the half, taking the ball in from 11 yards out for a 28-0 Eagles lead.
“Last week we were inconsistent against Rockmart, I thought,” Chandler said. “We issued a challenge to the kids this week and I think they came out and accepted it.”
Coosa’s Jorge Galvis put the final points of the half on the board with a 30-yard field goal with 1:48 to play.
Galvis closed the scoring with a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to set the final margin at 34-0.
“Coosa did a great job and they played well,” said Armuchee coach Garvin Edwards. “They had their way with us and we didn’t have an answer.”
On another dreary note for Armuchee (0-3, 0-1), starting defensive back Scott Terry had to be carted off the field by stretcher after a hard hit.
No information on the extent of his injury was immediately available. Edwards said he would not speculate on Terry’s condition.
Coosa is idle next week. Armuchee hosts Darlington on Friday.
Eagle's Carlos Breaks P.A.T. Record
Coosa's P.A.T. specialist, broke the modern (since 1980) Coosa record when he kicked his 11th consecutive extra point in Friday nights game against Armuchee. He completed all three attempts at White County however those kicks are not officially tallied. Carlos, a senior shares other kicking duties with sophomore Jorge Galvis. "He is a fine young man who has risen from a tremendous amount of adversity to achieve this record" stated Coosa Kicking coach Randy Vice. Vice, who also worked with previous record holder (7 in a row) Mark Willamon had nothing but praise for the Kicker. " I don't want to jinx him by talking about it but so far he has been automatic", "His work ethic at practice is phenomenal and contagious". Other kicking records that he has in his sites are; most P.A.T.s in one game-6 versus Temple (not consecutive) and most P.A.T.s in a season, 25, 1986.
Coosa's Wish Upon a Rising Star
Be careful what you wish for…When Blue Cooper was a little boy his major wish was to someday be a starting quarterback. Now, it seems like his dream has come true. The dream was actually realized last year when he took over at the helm for the Coosa Eagles. Not only did he fulfill his dream but took it to a level that Coosa hadn’t attained in over 8 years, that of a playoff team. As a sophomore, Cooper seemed confident but often overwhelmed by the speed of the defense and the lack of speed of his offensive line, this year that is not an issue. Cooper’s agility has been helpful but not necessary as his veteran line has given him an average of over 5 seconds per play to make his decisions. His uncanny nack for finding the open receiver has brought him continued success with the pass. The respect given his arm by opposing defenses has resulted in more pass oriented coverages which has opened up the running game for Cooper with the bootleg and his running backs. Now, youngsters around the area are looking to Cooper as a role model. Cooper’s excellence in the classroom and the community have added to this mystic. Congratulations Blue, and….Be careful what you wish for…
Trae Martin Leads on Both Sides of the Ball
When Trae Martin began summer practice, he was prepared to become the defensive leader of the team. As a senior captain, Trae expected to lead the team defensively, however, things began to change during the Pepperell scrimmage. Martin's tight end position on offense became one of QB Blue Coopers favorite targets. As a result, Trae has racked up quite a few yards as a pass reciever. In an interview earlier this month Martin stated,"I thought I was just going to be another lineman on offense but things changed at Pepperell". However, Trae's focus remains on defense. He currently leads the team in tackles and has graded well in post game evaluations. Keep up the good work!!
Tigers Shock Eagles 20-7
|  | | Photo by M. Moore, Rome News-Tribune | |
Was it overconfidence or simply a lack of execution? The answer may never be known, however, an athletically inferior Darlington squad stepped up and defeated an Eagle team which never seemed to get its act together. In a night filled with blown assignemnts, shanked punts, and turnovers, Coosa fell to the crosstown Tigers like a tree in the woods with no one around; Did it make a sound? Who knows and does it really matter? What matters is that the Eagles now have to step up and play a much faster and stronger Chattooga squad at Eagle Stadium. The one scoring drive mounted by the Eagles was a textbook effort but every other effort either came up short or was ended prematurely by a turn over. Patrick Dupree was able to score in his comeback game but he played sparingly due to the possibility of reinjuring his ankle. Jorge Galvis was unable to play due to an off-field soccer injury, however, the Carlos continued his consecutive extra-point record due to a great snap, hold, and kick which involved Blue Cooper and Travis Burger as well as the Carlos. Quarterback Cooper struggled with two turnovers, one interception and one fumble, however, he ran the ball well and was responsible for two rushing first downs.
As for Darlington, "They just beat us physically on both sides of the ball,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler. “We can’t make big plays in a close game. They did a great job and out coached us.”
Eagles Send Indians on a "Trail of Tears"
10/18/03
By Joseph Myers, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
Email this story to a friend
There was an 88-yard punt return that didn’t go for a touchdown, but a 9-yard interception return that did.
There was a play that was run, but then replayed like it had never happened.
There were 12 fumbles, nine turnovers and five interceptions.
In the end, the Coosa Eagles emerged with the Region 6-AA victory over the visiting Indians, the first Coosa win over Chattooga in recent memory.
“I can’t be more proud of my players and my coaching staff,” an emotional Coosa coach Scott Chandler said. “We could’ve hung it up after (a 20-7 loss to Darlington last week), but I told them to relax and go out and have some fun and they did.
“My coaches and players deserve all the credit for this win.”
The game started out like it was going to be a blowout in favor of Coosa (3-3, 3-1 in Region 6-AA).
Blue Cooper hit Adrian Smith for a 49-yard touchdown pass and the Carlos nailed a 32-yard field goal on the Eagles’ first two possessions to put Coosa up 10-0 with 5:42 to go in the first quarter.
The game then got bizarre as the Indians (5-2, 3-2) and Eagles had three turnovers in as many plays. Four plays later, Chattooga lost another fumble to give Coosa the ball on the Indians’ 16-yard line.
Two plays later, Coosa’s Colby Lackey recovered a Patrick Dupree fumble in the end zone for another score and Jorge Galvis’ PAT made it 17-0 with 1:03 left in the first quarter.
“Coosa came to play and we didn’t,” said Chattooga coach John Starr. “We weren’t focused on this game at all, and that’s not to take anything away from Coosa at all. The guys didn’t suck it up when they needed to.
“There’s going to be some changes in practice on Monday.”
Chattooga got on the board before the end of the quarter, though, as Jacquez Wiggins hooked up with Lavette Johnson for a 70-yard touchdown pass to cut the Coosa lead to 17-7.
Dupree added a 2-yard touchdown run and Lorenza Foster capped off a 14-play, 62-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to get the Indians back to within 24-13 at halftime.
Chattooga finished the first half with five fumbles, losing two, and were picked off on another drive for a total of three turnovers.
But the Indians came out of the lstrong in the second half and tied the game at 27 after three quarters.
Lavette Johnson rambled 67 yards for a touchdown and Will Walker’s 4-yard touchdown run were sandwiched around a 32-yard field goal by the Carlos to send the game into the final 12 minutes all tied up.
Chattooga was driving midway through the fourth quarter when Foster appeared to fumble, which Coosa recovered.
But the referees consulted as to whether Foster was down when he lost the ball and decided to replay the down.
The controversy didn’t hurt Coosa, as the Indians were forced to punt and Bobby Ferguson caught the punt at his own 11-yard line and raced 88 yards up the right sideline before being brought down at the Indians’ 1-yard line.
Cooper scored on a quarterback sneak on the next play and the Eagles went up 34-27 with 5:53 to go.
Chattooga got the ball back three times after that, but two interceptions and a turnover on downs sealed the Indians’ fate.
Coosa’s final score came on Chattooga’s last possession, when Trae Martin picked off a Derek Baker pass and returned it 9 yards for a touchdown with 20 seconds to go.
The Indians outgained Coosa 337 yards to 225, but Chattooga fumbled the ball 11 times — losing four — and were picked off three times.
Chattooga hosts Darlington next week, while Coosa goes to Model.
Eagles Defeated by an Overachieving Model 23-22
Sometimes things just don't make sense. Coosa entered the Friday nights game with Model fresh off a huge upset against Chattooga the weak before with a momentoum that would have carried most teams past the blue boys from across town. However, sometimes fate has its own ideas. Coosa's defense was unable to get things going and the kicking game, which normally is near perfect struggled with high winds and blocked kicks. In spite of a 40 yard field goal by the injured Jorge Galvis and a gallant effort by Patrick Dupree, the Eagles were unable to pull it off in the end. The Eagles were defeated 23-22 in a game that puts the Playoff situation in serious jeopardy. Coosa mounted a last minute scoring drive but the Carlos extra-point attempt against a 30 mph wind went almost straight up and hit the cross bar, bouncing back into the field of play. Coosa plays Adairsville at home next Friday.
Eagles Drop a Tough One Against Adairsville
|  | | Photo: Mike Moore, Rome News-Tribune | |
11/01/03
By Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
Email this story to a friend
Trailing Coosa going into the final 12 minutes, the Tigers scored three touchdowns to beat the Eagles 41-29 in a Region 6-AA game.
“Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong but we were still able to win,” said Adairsville coach Johnny Gulledge. “The kids stepped up and made plays.”
The Eagles came out with something to prove after dropping a game to Model last week and early on, it seemed they might do that.
After an hour-and-a-half delay — no officials had been assigned to the game and referees had to be pulled from games at Rome, Darlington and Armuchee — things got started around 9 p.m.
By 9:15, the Eagles had put their first points on the board off a 13-yard run by Blue Cooper. George Galvis’ point after was good and Coosa led 7-0.
The Tigers (6-2, 5-1) countered early in the second quarter off a 1-yard run by Drew Elrod (his seventh touchdown in three games). The two point run by Eddie Evans was good and the Tigers led 8-7.
Galvis kicked a 22-yard field goal on Coosa’s next possession to make it 10-8.
Elrod gave the Tigers their next points on a 39-yard pass to Jamel Trimble.
The two-point conversion failed and it was 14-10.
Coosa (3-5, 3-3) bounced right back on a beautiful 48-yard pass from Blue Cooper to Adrian Smith.
The point after was blocked and Coosa led 16-14, which was the way the first half ended.
Trimble scored again with 9:35 to go in the third on a 6-yard run. The point after failed and Adairsville led 20-16.
Trimble took most of the handoffs in the second half because Evans went down with an ankle injury. The extent of the injury was not available at press time.
Cooper found Smith again late in the third on a 38-yard pass and Coosa led 23-20 following the extra point.
That’s when things began going downhill for Coosa.
On the first play of the fourth, Trimble scored again from five yards out. Following the Richie Sherwood point after it was 27-23.
Elrod scored his second touchdown of the night with 7:42 to go and it was 34-23 following the point after.
Elrod turned around and picked off a Cooper pass, setting up the Tigers’ final touchdown.
Dustan Cantrell ran it in from 5 yards out with 5:21 to go and it was 41-23 after the extra point.
“We knew coming in that we would have a hard time stopping the running game,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler. “We hung around for a while, but you can’t make some of the mistakes we made and expect to beat Adairsville.”
Coosa is at Dade County next week, while Adairsville hosts Darlington.
Eagles Down Dade 34-7 to Stay in the Playoff Hunt
By Andrew Jenkins, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
TRENTON — Patrick Dupree and Matt Staples proved why they have become one of the best rushing tandems in Greater Rome.
Dupree rushed for 201 yards and three scores and Staples tacked on 116 more to lead Coosa to a 34-7 Region 6-AA win over Dade County on Friday.
“We have to play at the same level every week and show the same effort next week,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler. “We need to maintain this level of play throughout the rest of the season.”
The Eagles (4-5, 4-3) have to maintain that level of play if they intend to beat No. 7 Calhoun next week and earn a playoff berth.
Model High’s win over Chattooga on Friday means the Eagles have to beat Calhoun to get into the playoffs. Otherwise, Model will go dancing for the first time in years.
Coosa made strides in getting prepared for Calhoun against the Wolverines (2-7, 1-6).
The Coosa running game produced 394 yards on 45 carries and the defense held Dade County to a mere 135 total yards.
“Our offensive line performed well and I was really pleased with the way our defensive line played against their line.”
Dupree put Coosa on the board early in the game, scoring both of the Eagles’ first-quarter touchdowns.
His first was on a 7-yard run and the second on a 3-yard run. One of two extra points failed and Coosa led 13-0 at the end of the first.
Adrian Smith got the Eagles on the board first in the second quarter on a 5-yard pass from Blue Cooper. The Carlos point after was good and Coosa led 20-0.
The drive was set up by a Trae Martin interception, his third in three games.
Leading 20-7 in the third, Coosa scored again on a 2-yard Dupree run. After the Carlos kick it was 27-7.
Cooper scored Coosa’s final touchdown in the final period on a 1-yard run. George Galvis tacked on the extra point for the 34-7 final margin.
Dade County wraps up its season next week at Darlington.
Eagles Must Win for Playoff Berth
| |  | | Photo by Mike Moore-Rome News-Tribune |
Erik Green, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
It’s not necessary to tell the Coosa Eagles how important Friday night’s game is for their season.
It is their season.
If the Eagles beat heavily-favored Calhoun on Friday in the regular-season finale, then they go to the playoffs for the second straight year. If not, well, they don’t want to think about that.
“This is the second week of the playoffs for us,” said Coosa coach Scott Chandler. “Unfortunately we have to go up against the No. 7 team in the state to (have a chance at the real playoffs).”
Coosa fans have seen the Eagles march through a season of ups and downs and highs and unthinkable lows.
A loss to Model on Oct. 24 was one of the lows, which ultimately gave the Blue Devils their best chance of making the playoffs since 1997.
A win by Calhoun (8-1, 7-0) on Friday and the Blue Devils go to the playoffs.
Adairsville has wrapped up the No. 2 seed from Region 6-AA and Darlington is third.
Coosa (4-5, 4-3) can repay Model for the unexpected loss by beating Calhoun, ending the Blue Devils’ remarkable season and giving the Eagles’ the No. 4 seed.
“The thing about Calhoun is they always come to play,” Chandler said. “Even though they have the region title wrapped up, they’re going to come to play. “We’re going to have to play about a perfect game to win,” Chandler said, “and we’ve got to get some breaks to have a chance.”
Going in as the underdog is no big deal for Chandler and the Eagles who have played in that role several times this year.
It’s a challenge that the Eagles need and one that is not insurmountable, Chandler said.
“We’re always the underdogs at Coosa,” Chandler said. “These coaches and players are about the only ones in the state of Georgia who think we can win. But David was a 20 point underdog to Goliath.”
True enough, and the situation is no less daunting. Calhoun has averaged 29 points per game and running back Adam Patrick leads the area in rushing yards with 1,141.
Patrick’s 13 touchdowns are the third most by any back in Greater Rome and his 7.6 yards per carry average makes him a threat on every play.
“Patrick and Rashaad Montgomery can break the long one at any time,” Chandler said. “You’ve got to figure that Patrick is going to get his. You have to stop Montgomery and Sam Pennel.”
Despite being favored in the game, Calhoun coach Hal Lamb knows Coosa will be coming out fired up and ready to do what it takes to get back to the playoffs.
“Coosa is very dangerous,” Lamb said. “If they put it all together, they’re a good team. They have good talent. They’ve been a Jekyll and Hyde.”
Jekyll and Hyde is a fitting example of Coosa’s play this year.
The Eagles lost a down to the wire thriller against Cherokee County Ala., a brawl with Darlington, the shocker to Model and a fantastic game against Adairsville.
Their wins over Rockmart, Armuchee, Dade County, Chattooga and Rockmart have been fairly sound ones.
However, Friday’s game will probably be the Eagles’ toughest test of the year and it could not have come at a worse time.
“We’re region champions no matter what happens Friday,” Lamb said of the 7:30 p.m. game. “This is a pride game for us. Our kids are going to compete. Our coaches are going to compete.” Sports writer Doug Hawley contributed to this report.
Eagles Lose a Close One to Calhoun to End Season
By Doug Hawley, Rome News Tribune Sports Writer
Coach Hal Lamb’s Yellow Jackets (9-1, 8-0) had already clinched their third consecutive Region 6-AA championship last week.
“We really did not have much incentive for this game,” Lamb admitted. “Coosa certainly had the incentive.”
If the Eagles (4-6, 4-4) had upset the No. 7 Jackets on senior night, they would have advanced to the state playoffs as 6-AA’s No. 4 team. Instead, Model clinched the final playoff berth and a trip to ninth-ranked Morgan County next Friday in a first-round matchup.
“Coosa’s got a good offensive team,” Lamb said. “We knew that coming in. That No. 4 (Adrian Smith) is really something, particularly for a senior playing his first year of football (and) also, the running back (Patrick) Dupree.”
The Yellow Jackets now brace for the opening round of the state playoffs at home next Friday against Greene County.
“Coach Lamb does a great job with that program,” Coosa coach Scott Chandler said. “We’re hoping to build a program like that. The key with them is that they find a way to win.”
Calhoun never trailed, but it led by only a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“We got behind the 8-ball early,” Chandler pointed out. “We can’t do that against a great team like Calhoun.”
Two lost Eagles fumbles on their first two possessions led to a 14-0 Calhoun lead. A.J. Baker pounced on the initial fumble at Calhoun’s 25 and Rashaad Montgomery later rambled 39 yards to set up a score.
Adam Patrick scored the first of four touchdowns on a 4-yard run and Jimmy Little kicked the first of five extra points for a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Jackets’ Cliff Locklear recovered an Eagles’ bobble at the 18. Patrick’s 5-yard run and two straight penalties against Coosa put the ball at the 3. Then Sam Pennel blasted off left tackle for the score and a 14-0 edge.
After a 19-yard Jackets’ punt, the Eagles put together a 10-play, 48-yard scoring drive, aided by three penalties against Calhoun for 32 yards. Blue Cooper tossed a 19-yard scoring aerial to Smith and George Galvis kicked the extra point to cut Coosa’s deficit to 14-7 at halftime.
After Patrick added an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter, Coosa sliced the deficit to 21-14 on Cooper’s 16-yard scoring strike to David Wilson early in the fourth quarter.
Patrick scored on a 12-yard pass from Worley and added a 19-yard run for Calhoun.
Dupree got Coosa’s final TD via a 21-yard run that cut the lead to 28-20 in the closing minutes.
Patrick finished with 152 yards on 23 carries. Dupree sparked Coosa by rushing for 105 yards on 18 totes.
|
|
