Pioneers fall on Senior Night: Big plays key Clarksville’s 32-13 victory
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But while the offensive statistics were for the most part in the Pioneers’ favor, the most important number — the score — was not, as the Wildcats came away from Friday’s Senior Night contest with a 32-13 victory.
“I’m proud of them all, and they came out and played hard for four quarters,” coach Chris Madewell said of the Pioneers, who dropped to 0-9 with the loss. “Our offense, even though it doesn’t show on the scoreboard, did so much better tonight than we have been. We had the most first downs we have had all year, we drove the ball and that’s what we have to do.”
The Pioneers racked up 14 first downs and 351 yards of total offense, with 341 coming on the ground. Fullback Ramsey Black led the way for WCHS, with 152 yards on 21 carries.
Black credited his linemen and quarterback Justin Grissom for the offense’s success Friday night, and said he and his teammates came into the game with the mission of performing well not only for their own benefit, but especially for the 14 seniors who were playing their final home game.
“The line did a real good job, and Grissom stepped up at quarterback and did his job,” Black said. “It just kind of set up for me, and I was able to make some things happen.
“We just wanted to get out and give it all we had. We’ve always been loyal to our teammates, and wanted to put everything we had out for them and sacrifice what we’ve got.”
While the offense had a solid night, the Pioneer defense didn’t have many opportunities to shine, as Clarksville struck quickly for its scoreboard production.
The Wildcats’ five successful possessions consisted of two long returns, and just five offensive plays from scrimmage.
“The big plays against us, from what I see, comes from a lack of speed on our part,” Madewell said. “Clarksville had good speed, and if they turn the corner on you it’s hard to catch them. We couldn’t match them speed wise, but we sure matched them with heart.
“If you look back, it was missed tackles that hurt us the most. Again, the score doesn’t show it, but the defense has been pretty solid the last three or four games. Our defense played as well as they did against Franklin County, but the big plays by Clarksville (Friday) made the difference on the scoreboard.”
On the Pioneers’ third play from scrimmage, a Justin Grissom pass was intercepted by Clarksville’s Tario Frederick, who scampered 50 yards to give the Wildcats an early lead.
WCHS turned the ball over on downs later in the quarter, and CHS quarterback Matthew Griffith connected on a 25-yard pass to Bobby Kane, setting up Chris Fletcher for a 9-yard TD run to put the Wildcats on top 14-0.
Warren County got on the board next, as a 25-yard field goal from David Bradshaw ended a 74-yard drive that took over six minutes off the clock.
The Wildcats answered, however, on a second-down, 55-yard scoring pass from Griffith to Tario Frederick.
Bradshaw turned in his longest career kick early in the second quarter, booting a 44-yard field goal to cut the Wildcats’ edge to 20-6. But another big play from Clarksville quickly quieted the Pioneer faithful in the stands, as Brian Ligon took the ensuing kickoff back 84 yards to give CHS a 26-6 halftime lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Pioneers turned the ball over on their first drive of the fourth, and Fletcher went 40 yards on the Wildcats’ next play to score Clarksville’s last touchdown of the game.
But Warren County wouldn’t quit, and T.J. Jarvis provided the game’s final score on a 24-yard run in the final minute of the contest. The Pioneers’ onside kick attempt was recovered by Clarksville, and the Wildcats ran out the clock to seal the victory.
Jarvis finished with 97 yards on just 12 carries, while Grissom had 73 yards on 10 attempts.
The game marked the final home appearance of the Pioneers’ senior class, which consisted of: Chris Ashford, Brad Stewart, Mitchell, Brandon Sharpe, Matt Broadrick, Matt Panter, John Morrison, Daniel Wilson, Greg Cotten, Rob Williams, Jarvis, Grissom, Coty Miller and Bradshaw.
Head coach Gerald Tidwell, who was coaching his first game at Nunley Stadium, said he was very impressed with the way the seniors, and the rest of the team, gave their all Friday night.
“I’m very proud of our kids,” he said. “Considering what our senior class has been through the last three years, to come out and fight, fight, fight to the last horn sounds was outstanding. I couldn’t be more pleased with them.
“They’ve been this way all year, and people that come to the games and watch them see that. We’re just not as talented as the teams we’re playing, but it’s not for lack of effort.”
The Pioneers conclude their season next Friday, with a road game against Coffee County.