Welcome to our new web site!
To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.
During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.
MEMPHIS (November 2) — The West Carroll War Eagles opened the TSSAA Class A Football Playoffs on the road against the Hillcrest Vikings at Booker T. Washington High School. The War Eagles blanked Hillcrest to lead by two scores at the half. The Vikings opened the second half with a quick touchdown, but West Carroll stayed at least two steps ahead the rest of the way for a 47-28 win.
The win sets up a daunting Region 7-1A rematch for the War Eagles as they will travel to Tiptonville Friday to face region champion Lake County at 7 p.m. The Falcons traveled to Atwood a month ago and defeated West Carroll 36-7. However, the War Eagles have not lost a game on the road this season (6-0).
West Carroll won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
A squib kick gave the War Eagles good field position at their own 45. Jeremiah Bryant took the first snap for 12 yards on a keeper. Trace Fuller kept the next snap for five yards. Jarrius Weatherford moved the chains with a seven-yard carry, then Fuller kept again for two. Weatherford gained just a yard on second down, but Fuller found a gap on third down to move the chains to the 13. Bryant gained nine, then Fuller punched it in from four yards out. The point-after kick missed, but West Carroll drew first blood for a 6-0 lead with seven minutes to play in the first frame.
A penalty against Hillcrest on the kickoff return started the drive at the 30. The War Eagle defense forced a three-and-out with a tackle by Garrett Brooks and back-to-back passes tipped by Armoni Bonds and Luke Blankenship, respectively. The punt went out of bounds at the West Carroll 29.
Weatherford started the drive with a two-yard run, then lost two. On third-and-ten, Bryant threw to Zach Perry for a 32-yard gain. Weatherford followed with carries for eleven and five yards, then Fuller kept for five more and a first down at the Viking 19. After a short gain by Weatherford, a penalty cost West Carroll five yards. Weatherford made another short gain, then Fuller kept for eight to bring up fourth-and-four at the 13. Weatherford gained five for a first-and-goal at the 8, then made a short gain. Fuller pushed it to the 3 on a keeper as the opening quarter came to an end. Weatherford gained just a yard on third down to start the second. Fuller went into the end zone on fourth down, but a holding penalty negated the score. From 12 yards out, Fuller threw incomplete to turn the ball over on downs.
Viking William Harris started with a 19-yard run to the 31. From there, the War Eagle defense stifled the drive. Bonds, Fuller and Devin Nash made respective stops, and the Hillcrest punt was downed at the West Carroll 34.
Fuller threw incomplete, then Weatherford ran to the outside for 16 yards to midfield. Two consecutive penalties pushed the War Eagles back to a first-and-23 at the 38. Bryant kept twice to make it third-and-ten. Fuller’s pass was dropped, then Nash’s punt was downed at the Viking 10.
Hillcrest managed two first downs, but stalled again. On fourth-and-ten from their own 45, the Vikings’ punt went low and moved the ball just a yard to the 46.
Bryant gained just a yard, but repeated for nine to move the chains. Fuller made a short gain, the Weatherford ran for 15. He then lost a yard, followed by a short gain by Bryant. A penalty made it third-and-13, but Bryant gained eleven down to the 12. On fourth-and-two, Fuller kept for eight to set up first-and-goal at the 4 with a minute to play in the half. He repeated for two yards, then Weatherford lost four. With 20 seconds and the clock running, Fuller kept for the touchdown. Nash added the PAT, and West Carroll led 13-0.
Hillcrest made a solid return to midfield, but the half ended on the first snap as a keeper by quarterback Defavus Ross was stopped for no gain by Bonds.
The Vikings received the second-half kickoff, which sailed out of bounds to start them at their own 40. Ross threw to Harris for six yards, then a penalty moved Hillcrest back to the 41. Ross threw to Nicholas Mathis for a 59-yard touchdown, then threw to Harris for the two-point conversion. Early in the third, the West Carroll lead was cut to 13-8.