SPORTS

Dresden edges Milan in Paris

MICHAEL YOUNG
sports@jacksonsun.com

PARIS - The second game of the McDonald’s Football Challenge at Henry County High School featured two teams, Milan and Dresden, who had successful campaigns in 2015 and are looking to stay on the list of the top teams in West Tennessee.

Even though it was a jamboree, the game delivered memorable moments and good competition as both teams continue to get ready for the beginning of the season. Dresden picked up a 22-14 win.

Milan started the game with the ball on the 30-yard line and drove down the field quickly, scoring on a highlight-reel, one-handed touchdown grab from Lamartez Brooks to give the Bulldogs the early 7-0 lead.

Dresden’s offense responded on its first possession. Starting at the 30-yard line, it took them less than three minutes to score, getting it in the end zone on a 21-yard run from Quincey McDonald. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, allowing Milan to retain the lead with 5:48 left in the first period and the score 7-6.

On first play on Milan’s second possession, Dresden forced a fumble, giving them good field position. Dresden’s quarterback, Dresser Winn, who was able to use his legs for much of the night to get out of trouble, scampered for a 31-yard touchdown to put the Lions in the lead. The two-point conversion was successful, so Dresden led 14-7, which would be the score after the second period.

Less than a minute into the second half, Winn connected with McDonald on a 29-yard touchdown pass to push the lead after the successful two-point conversion to 14, with the score 22-7.

Both teams traded fumbles on their next offensive possessions. After getting the ball back in their own territory, Milan found themselves behind the chains, facing a fourth and 22 before converting that fourth down, which jumpstarted the offense to go down and score on a Ballard one-yard touchdown run to make the score 22-14.

Milan’s coach, Jeff Morris, said about his team’s performance, “We had some tackling issues, especially with the quarterback, causing us some problems with our secondary, but it’s a jamboree, so we will continue to work and get better.”

“We are just glad to be able compete and get a win,” said Dresden coach Derek Rang. “I thought we were sloppy at times and we expect the guys to be more focused, but it is fun to just be able to come out here and play.”

In the first game of the evening, it was West Carroll who beat Stewart County, 6-0. Trace Fuller scored on a 13-yard run as the only scoring in the game as the War Eagle defense was strong.