Patriots storm past Choctaws 48-14

Returning to play in front of the home crowd at Patriot Stadium on Friday proved to be just what the Henry County High School football team needed to post its first win of the 2019 season.

The Patriots opened their defense of the Region 7-5A championship by blasting Dyer County (2-1) 48-14 with a large Big Red crowd cheering nonstop. Henry County (1-2) will again step outside the region to host Class 6A power Brentwood High School at 7 p.m. Friday at Patriot Stadium. Brentwood (3-0) beat Dickson County 63-0 on Friday.

Henry County’s efforts were also boosted by the return of senior running back Jayln Foster, who missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. Foster was a preseason All-State pick. He ran for 79 yards and scored two touchdowns against Dyer County.

“It was really big to finally get to play a game at home,” said Patriot head coach James Counce Jr. after Friday’s win. “Our fans are so great and people coming in here say this is really a tough place for them to play. Our guys really get excited to play before our home fans. We like playing here and it shows.”

Counce said the Patriots beat a strong Dyer County team that will surely be a playoff qualifier.

“Dyer County is a much improved team from last year. They have impressive size and they are playing much more physical. We did a better job up front on both sides of the football. Our defense has been playing really well all season. Tonight, the offense was able to move the football more efficiently both on the ground and passing. It feels good to get a win,” said Counce.

Henry County’s defense posted a three-and-out stop on the first Dyer County possession with the Patriots starting at their own 25-yard line after a punt. The Patriots marched down the field to score the game’s first touchdown with Foster running five yards to the end zone. Darrius Stephens booted the extra point to put Henry County up 7-0.

After a tough game on special teams in last week’s 22-20 loss at Beech, the Patriots made an impact, especially rushing Dyer County’s punter. A heavy rush led to a short punt late in the first quarter with the Patriots getting the football at the Choctaws’ 40. The Patriots’ drive stalled inside the red zone and Henry County attempted a field goal, which was good but was waved off by a penalty flag. The Patriots missed the second field goal try.

That seemed to rally Dyer County as the Choctaws mounted an 80-yard scoring drive. The big play was a 41-yard pass completion that set up a 15-yard scoring run by LaQuitton Wells. Logan Cartwright’s extra point kick tied the contest at 7-7 with 4:53 left in the second quarter.

Henry County answered quickly with quarterback Ryan Damron faking a handoff and swinging a pass outside to wide receiver Jawon Odoms. Odoms dashed 59 yards to score a touchdown. Stephens kicked the extra point to put Henry County on top 14-7.

The two sqauds swapped turnovers with Dyer County’s diving interception of a tipped pass giving the Choctaws the ball at their own 14. Dyer County was pushed back and had to attempt a punt from the end zone. The Patriots again got a heavy rush that the punter barely got off and the Patriots took possession of the ball at the Dyer County 10.

Patriot runner Jayden Kendall scored on the next play, with Stephens hitting his third extra point kick to give the Patriots a 21-7 halftime lead.

BIG RED PULLS AWAY

The Patriots’ late first-half score seemed to deflate the Choctaws some. Henry County erupted to score 21 points in the third period and put the game away.

Henry County got the ball first in the third quarter and moved quickly in to score when Damron passed 8 yards to fullback Mekhi Sanders for a touchdown. Stephens hit the extra point kick to push the Patriots’ lead to 28-7.

The Patriots recovered a fumble to set up their next score. Foster ran 30 yards to score his second touchdown with Stephens’ kick making the Patriots’ advantage 35-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dyer County fumbled with Henry County recovering the ball at the Choctaws’ 19. The Patriots went on to score their third touchdown of the third quarter on an 8-yard run by Kendall. Stephens booted another extra point kick for a 42-7 lead.

Early in the fourth period, Damron connected with tight end Damian Rushing for a 57-yard scoring pass. The Patriots’ extra point kick was blocked but Henry County was on top 48-7.

Dyer County added a touchdown midway through the fourth period when Josh Stewart sprinted 73 yards to score. Cartwright hit his extra point attempt and the final score was 48-14.

A look at the game statistics shows the Patriots’ dominance. Henry County held a 381-221 yard edge in total offense. That included 216 yards passing to go along with 165 yards rushing. Henry County had twice as many first downs (22-11). The Patriot defense recorded three quarterback sacks good for 22 yards in lost yardage.