Wayne County Outlook

Wayne County stops Clay County 24-7 in opener
Shannon Hutchinson
Sports Writer

The Wayne County Cardinals hosted Clay County last Friday night at

Jewell Field in the season opener for both teams. The contest marked the

first ever meeting between the two schools, as the Cards were coming off a

6-5 season while the Tigers owned an 8-3 mark in 2004.

Wayne County freshman halfback Chris Burks rushed 17 times for 144 yards

and two scores, as the Cards claimed a 24-7 season opening win. Burks, a 5-8

165 lbs. sparkplug, scored on runs of 21 and 9 yards and the Cardinal

defense held Clay County scoreless over the gamešs final 40-minutes, en

route to improving to 1-0 on the year.

"Išm just glad we were able to battle through our mistakes and the heat

to get the win. To open the season at home with a win is such a positive,

anytime you can go 1-0 instead of 0-1, itšs big. Chris really ran the

football hard and I thought our defense was huge," said second year Cards

head coach Shawn Thompson.

The Cards totaled 334 yards of offense and 14 first downs, but were

plagued by four first half turnovers.

"Offensively we made some mistakes in our passing game, but thatšs

something we can work on. The humidity made it so difficult to grip the

football, plus our line must do a better job of controlling the line of

scrimmage," said Thompson.

Quarterback Zach Lewis paced the Clay County attack with a 17 for 35

effort for 175 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Junior

runningback Byron Bragg added 63 rushing yards with 59 receiving yards, as

the Tigers totaled 237 yards of offense.

"Give Clay County a lot of credit. They are a very young football team

that will get better each week. They showed a lot of looks we hadnšt really

prepared for, but I thought our kids adjusted pretty well and made some nice

plays on the defensive side of the football," said Thompson.

Wayne County wasted little time getting their first points of the 2005

season. The hosts opened the game with the football and needed just two

plays to reach the end zone. Quarterback Ryan Steele connected with Jordan

Steele on a 44-yard completion and Chris Burks followed that up with a

21-yard touchdown run, as the Cards grabbed an early lead. Joe Coffey booted

the extra-point, as Wayne County owned a 7-0 edge with 11:20 left in the

opening quarter.

"A good way to start the game with our first drive. I thought we came

out with intensity and got off to a good start," said Thompson.

Clay County answered back with a Kevin Marcum 58 yard kickoff return

that gave the Tigers the football inside the Cardsš 25 yard line. The

visitorsš drive stalled on the 7 yard line, as Wayne Countyšs Tyler King

intercepted a Zach Lewis third down pass attempt.

The Cardsš next two offensive series both ended with turnovers. Phillip

Dunn and Kris Smith both grabbed interceptions off Ryan Steelešs attempts,

as the last one set up Clay Countyšs only score.

Zach Lewis connected with Matt Dobbs on strikes of 22, 16, and 11 yards,

the last for a touchdown, as Clay County used a 3-play 49 yard scoring drive

to knot the score. Lewis added the extra-point, leaving the score 7-7 with

4:10 left in the first period.

The next four possessions of the contest produced two punts and two

interceptions, as neither team could claim the lead.

Wayne Countyšs junior defensive back Jordan Bertram intercepted a Zach

Lewis pass, which set up the Cards go-ahead score.

The Cards used a 9-play, 34 yard drive capped off by Ryan Steelešs 10

yard touchdown pass to Tyler King to regain the lead. Steele highlighted the

drive with a 12-yard run on fourth down to keep the drive alive. Joe

Coffeyšs point-after gave Wayne County a 14-7 edge with 4:50 left in the

first half.

Neither team would score again in the half, as Wayne Countyšs only other

drive ended with a turnover as the hosts owned a 14-7 lead.

"We moved the football pretty well, but we committed too many mistakes

in the first half," said Thompson.

Wayne Countyšs defense forced Clay County into three punts in the third

quarter, but failed to capitalize until late in the period.

The Cards used a 6-play drive to march 93 yards and score on a Chris

Burks 9 yard run. Burks set up the score with a 70 yard run earlier in the

drive. Joe Coffey added the extra-point to push the score to 21-7 with 3:22

left in the third period.

"That was a big drive from inside our own 10 yard line and it finally

gave us a little bit of breathing room," said Thompson.

Defense dominated the action in the final quarter, as Clay Countyšs

final four drives ended with one punt and three straight turnover on downs.

Wayne County added a final score late in the fourth period, as Joe

Coffey capped-off an 8-play drive with an impressive 37-yard field goal. The

kick pushed the score to 24-7 with only 2:37 left in the contest.

"We really think that we have a real opportunity to put points on the

board anytime we can get inside their 30 yard line. To have an experienced

and capable kicker like Joe really gives our offense another weapon.

Touchdowns are great, but to have a chance to put points on the board is a

real plus," said Thompson.

Neither team would threaten to score again as Wayne County claimed the

24-7 win.

The Cards had several solid offensive performances led by the 144

rushing yards of Chris Burks. Ryan Steele finished with 93 passing yards and

63 rushing yards for a total of 156 yards. Sophomore Jordan Steele led all

receivers with 73 yards and 3 receptions.

"Offensively we played pretty decent in spots, but a big key in our

improvement will be our line of scrimmage play. We have to be more physical

and of a better job of taking care of business up-front and winning the game

in the trenches. Overall this game was a good learning tool that hopefully

wešll build on," said Thompson.

Wayne Countyšs defensive effort was led by 5-7 165 lbs. junior

linebacker Cody Pyles. Pyles led all players with 13 total tackles, while

the senior duo of Tyler King and Ryan Steele tallied 10 stops each. The unit

produced two turnovers and two sacks in the win.

"Our defense is the heart of this yearšs team. We felt that way going

into the season and I thought our guys really stepped up big in this game.

With all of the problems we faced with the heat, I was proud of the way

several of our reserves stepped in and made positive things happen," said

Thompson.

The coach did mention several areas that need improvement before this

weekšs game with Knox Central.

"Our overall intensity just wasnšt there for four quarters. I know the

heat was a factor, but we have to make sure we take good care of ourselves

and get plenty of fluids. Hopefully it will cool off some this week, but our

intensity has to step up against a much improved Knox Central team or it

could be a long night," said Thompson.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Jewell Field.

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