Tri-County completes perfect season with title
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
For the first twenty minutes of the first half in the Class A State Championship game at Millsaps College in Jackson yesterday the Riverfield Raiders looked to be a team on its’ way to pulling off a huge upset over top ranked Tri-County, but the final four minutes of the half set the tone for what was to come as Tri-County exploded for two quick scores en-route to pounding Riverfield 38-14 to win its’ first state championship since 1985.
Senior quarterback Lane Williams passed for three touchdowns and ran for another after a shaky first quarter to lead the Rebels to a perfect 13-0 season and helped erase last season’s painful championship game loss to Trinity.
Tri-County fans were left wondering if yesterday’s title game would end with the same result as last season’s as they saw the Rebels get behind 14-0 to Riverfield early on.
Behind a massive offensive line and punishing ground game Riverfield would mount a 6 play, 76 yard drive on their third possession of the game that seemed to overwhelm top ranked Tri-County. Senior tailback Patrick Cencer exploded around the right end for a 40 yard touchdown run to cap the drive at the 1:41 mark of the first quarter. Chase Cater’s PAT gave the Raiders a 7-0 start.
After forcing Tri-County’s offense into a quick three and out Riverfield went to work. This time the Raiders produced a methodical nine play, 50 yard drive that culminated on tailback Patrick Pelley’s 9 yard burst around the left end. Cater added the PAT and with 8:40 remaining in the first half Riverfield had posted a 14-0 lead before a stunned and quite Tri-County crowd.
Tri-County’s struggles on offense continued as yet another three and out quickly gave possession back to Riverfield but the momentum was about to take a sudden detour. Riverfield’s drive stalled out at their own 46 yard line when disaster struck the Raiders as a high snap sailed over punter Chase Cater’s head and the senior was swarmed over at the Raider 30 yard line. Three plays later Tri-County cashed in as Lane Williams connected with senior tailback Brady Walker for a 33 yard touchdown strike with 3:51 left in the half. Williams tacked on the PAT to cut the Riverfield lead in half at 14-7.
(Above) Tri-County's Trey Bozeman (#10) looks for running room
The Williams to Walker touchdown fueled Tri-County’s defense as the Rebels promptly forced a Riverfield punt that set the Rebel offense up at midfield.
Lane Williams hit tight-end Barrett Shepard to advance the football to the Raider 34 yard line but Riverfield’s defense dug in and put Tri-County in a 4th and 11 situation with 40 seconds remaining in the half. In what turned out to be the biggest play of the game Lane Williams hooked up with senior Justin Sones on a short route and the big tight-end did the rest as he powered his way down the sidelines and into the endzone. Williams’ PAT attempt went wide left and Riverfield would cling to a 14-13 halftime lead.
The huge momentum swing carried over into the second half and quickly grew as Riverfield fumbled on the second play of the third quarter to give Tri-County possession at the Raider 23 yard line.
Five plays later Lane Williams plowed in from one yard out to give Tri-County their first lead of the day. Williams then scampered in for a successful two point conversion to put the Rebels on top 21-14 with less than two minutes gone in the third quarter.
Tri-County wasted little time in getting the football back as the Rebel defense stopped tailback Cole Mills for a loss of 4 yards and defensive ends Justin Sones and Brady Walker sacked Riverfield quarterback Austin Crawford at the Raider 2 yard line.
Tri-County then produced an eight play, 47 yard drive that saw sophomore quarterback Trey Bozeman enter the game for a shaken up Lane Williams. Bozemen made the most of the play as he connected with fullback AJ Boutwell for a six yard touchdown pass. Williams added the PAT and with 4:38 remaining in the 3rd quarter Tri-County took a 28-14 advantage.
(Above) Tri-County linebacker Trace Lane hammers Riverfield tailback Patrick Pelley
Tri-County increased their lead at the 7:05 mark of the 4th quarter as Lane Williams connected with senior wide-out Zac Giddy for a 12 yard touchdown strike to finish off a 58 yard drive. Williams added the PAT to give the Rebels a commanding 35-14 lead.
Tri-County safety Trey Bozeman picked off a Riverfield pass at the Raider 44 yard line and returned it to the 8 yard line on the first play of the Raider’s next possession to put the icing on the cake. Four plays later Lane Williams booted a 22 yard field goal to give Tri-County a final score of 38-14.
Williams went 10/21 for 174 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown to lead Tri-County and Brady Walker had 3 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown.
After allowing 148 total yards on Riverfield’s first three possessions of the game Tri-County’s defense held the Raiders to just 51 total yards the remainder of the contest.
Riverfield finishes their season at 11-4. Patrick Cencer led the Raiders with 83 yards rushing.
(Above) Tri-County Academy, MAIS Class A 2011 State Champions
.
.
Post Game with Tri-County head coach David Blount and senior quarterback Lane Williams
.
