Armchair Quarterback: Broken play big break for Wildcats

Talk about a team that can’t catch a break.

The Warren County Pioneer players may need to each carry a rabbit’s foot in their pads given the events of this past Friday night.

Those of you who were in Tullahoma saw the most improbable play I’ve witnessed in years as the Wildcats held off the Pioneers 20-17 thanks to get the break of all breaks. The incident happened just before the end of the third quarter as the Wildcats were back in punt formation after their drive stalled around midfield. With the score 13-10 in favor of the home team, the Pioneers were primed for a change of momentum as the crowd of Warren County fans who flocked to Tullahoma (some of us riding 35 miles on our bicycles), were on their feet after the defensive stand.

However, as has happened time after time this year, the fates were cruel as what could have been the biggest play of the year for the Pioneers turned into the second worst when punter Dillon Cross bobbled the snap.

Now, those of you who watch football know that a bobbled snap is always bad news for the kicking team for several reasons. First, when a snap is mishandled, the punt is usually blocked and the defensive team either scores a touchdown or has great field position. Second, even should the punter get the kick off, nine times out of ten their blockers have already done their silent counts and taken off down field, thereby prompting an illegal man down field flag

And, last and certainly not least, punters are usually specialized players who use their feet to do the talking. They are generally not known for their open field running. Most times, a kicker who takes off running is smothered and often fumbles the ball away.

So, guess what happened. Tullahoma defied all these long standing principals of football. First, Cross was not only the punter but also doubled as a wide receiver, meaning he had running skills. Next, he bobbled the snap so many times that the punt rushers had already ran past him when he took off while our other special teams personnel had turned their backs to go back and block for our punt returner.

The end result was him extending a drive and taking the ball to the Pioneer 27. They would score five plays later to make the score 20-10, and keep it just out of reach, this, despite the fact Warren County appeared to be the better team the whole night long.

Besides the punt fiasco, Tullahoma had a punt return to the Pioneer 2-yard-line to get within three of the Pioneers by the half. Really, Tullahoma had only one decent drive the entire night, the rest of their win was the two big plays.

If there was such a thing as big play insurance, the Pioneers need to buy a big policy. The 34-17 loss at Sparta was all big kick and punt returns. Aside from the Cookeville game, the Pioneers have been pretty consistent on defense, losing games only due to big plays, almost all of those coming on special teams.

Sure, the adage that a team makes its own breaks is true to a point, but sometimes it would be refreshing to see the ball bounce the Pioneers’ way.

Perhaps the fortune is coming this week at Cumberland County.

Make no mistake, Crossville is the biggest game of the year. Win, and the playoffs are possible, lose and the playoff chase is over.