Choctaws trade blows with Tornadoes, pull out the win

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

Dyer County moved to 2-0 on the season on Friday night in Newbern but it wasn’t an easy task as the Choctaws had to answer Union City multiple times on the scoreboard before pulling out a 28-26 win at Choctaw Stadium.

“They fought hard,” Dyer County Head Coach Justin Dubruiel said. “Defense fought hard. Offense fought hard.

“There were a lot of things happening in this game. I liked our resolve. We stayed calm under pressure.”

Union City was able to capitalize on early struggles by the Choctaws. After pinning Dyer County down inside their own 5-yard line, Union City got an interception which led to a return to the 7-yard line of Dyer County. From there, it took two plays for Grant Sinclair to find the end zone on a seven-yard run. The extra point put Union City on top 7-0 with 9:55 left in the opening frame.

“We did a good job of putting ourselves in a hole there,” the Choctaw head coach admitted. “But, our kids found ways to fight back and find ways to win.”

The Choctaws were able to put an answer together fairly quickly. A 32-yard, four-play drive was capped by a five-yard touchdown throw from Landon White to Grant West to put Dyer County on the board. Dillon Rogers extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 8:18 left in the first quarter.

The Tornadoes continued to look good offensively, putting together a drive late in the first frame to bridge into the next quarter. On the first play of the second frame, Union City’s Jack Theobold capped the 55-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. The extra point gave the Tornadoes a 14-7 lead seven seconds in the second quarter.

Dyer County’s answer came late in the second quarter as the Choctaws went to their two-minute offense. The drive took nine plays and covered 73 yards with White scoring on a 23-yard touchdown run. Rogers’ extra point tied the game at 14-14 at the half.

Union City wasted little time scoring in the second half as Theobold scored on a 54-yard to put the Tornadoes on top 20-14 after a missed extra point with 11:37 left in the third quarter.

The Choctaws turned to KeAnthony Barbee for an immediate answer as the speedy senior returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a score. Rogers all-important extra point put Dyer County on top 21-20 with 11:24 left in the frame.

The back-and-forth action continued as Union City put together a five-play drive which was capped by a Kyle Price touchdown run of 28 yards. The two-point attempt failed as Union City went back on top at 26-21 with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

Again Dyer County was forced to answer as the Choctaws put together a nearly-identical drive which took five plays and 59 yards before a White pass found West for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Dyer County tacked on the extra point to go up 28-26 with 3:03 left in the frame.

After getting the ball back in the fourth quarter, the Choctaws began to drive down the field, but with the effort to run out the clock utilizing the legs of Korey Taylor. But, a turnover ended that threat midfield and a pair of penalties against the Choctaws put the Tornadoes in prime position. But, the Dyer County defense stepped up and forced the Tornadoes to attempt a field goal. On the ensuing attempt, the snap sailed over the head of the holder resulting in a turnover on downs late in the game. From there, Dyer County held on to get the win.

Looking at the statistics, both teams combined to commit 19 penalties for 135 yards.

“Penalties about hurt us there in the end,” Dubruiel added. “But, you know, that is stuff that you can talk to kids and hopefully clean up.”

Taylor led the way for the Choctaws on the ground with 60 yards on nine carries. Through the air, White was 8-for-13 with two touchdowns and an interception.

Dyer County returns to action on Friday, Sept. 4 when the Choctaws hit the road for the first time, traveling to Savannah to take on Hardin County in their Region 7-4 opener.

“It’s going to be a situation of where we can put ourselves,” the Choctaw head coach said. “Hopefully, in the driver’s seat.”

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