Tuscola's Season Ends at Burns

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com

Photo by: Amanda Rathbone

The Tuscola varsity football team pulled out their gold pants for the first time this season and headed to Lawndale with hopes to pull off a major upset in the first round of the 2011 NCHSAA Playoffs. Those hopes went up in smoke as the Burns Bulldogs cruised to a 42-14 victory over the visiting Mountaineers. “We knew going into the game that Burns was extremely fast and quick,” said Tuscola Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer. “We were proud of our young men for playing hard for the entire game. We did not always play well, but we did consistently play hard.”

 The Bulldogs attacked twice in the first quarter with a four yard touchdown run by Darius Ramsey and a 12 yard touchdown pass from Brandon Littlejohn to Tre Brooks. Littlejohn also broke loose on a 38 yard touchdown run with 4:30 remaining in the half to put the Bulldogs up 21-0 after the PAT. The Mountaineers struggled to move the ball in the first half, picking up 64 total yards (-4 rushing). Tuscola did however manage to put points on the board when Levi Duffield connected with Adam Silvers for a 15 yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds left in the half, capping a 57 yard drive that was aided by 40 yards in Burns penalties. After blocking the PAT, the Bulldogs quickly wiped out Tuscola’s score when Ramsey broke loose for a 61 yard touchdown run on the next play from scrimmage—giving Burns a 28-6 halftime lead.

Burns poured on two more scores in the third quarter with two six yard touchdown runs, the first by Littlejohn at the 6:32 mark and the second by Ramsey at the 1:48 mark. Ramsey’s score came after a Duffield interception was returned 49 yards by Hunter King. Littlejohn and Ramsey both finished the night with three scores a piece.

Photo by: Amanda Rathbone

Tuscola’s second and final score came with 6:22 remaining in the game when Ben Greene ran in from 18 yards out. A two-point conversion attempt failed. The Mountaineers tried to add one more for the 2011 season when Duffield hit Tyler Hyde in the endzone from 42 yards out with only seconds remaining in the game, but the ball fell through Hyde’s hands and the season came to an end on the next play with a nine yard rush by Duffield.

The Mountaineers finished the night with four turnovers, including three interceptions by Duffield and a fumble recovered by a helmet-less Devonte “Tank” Ramseur. The play was whistled dead after the recovered fumble, giving possession to the Bulldogs—even though Ramseur was clearly without a helmet before the fumble ever occurred.

Though there had been speculation in the community about the return of senior Rob Howard to the quarterback position after his participation in workouts earlier in the week, Howard was not cleared to return. All three of Howard’s varsity football seasons were cut short due to season-ending injuries.

The Mountaineers finish the season 4-8 overall (4-3 WNCAC), marking the first losing season for Tuscola since 2007 and only the eighth in school history. With 18 seniors graduating and a 3-6 finish by the junior varsity squad, the Mountaineers will have to work extremely hard in the off-season in order to compete for a WNC Athletic Conference Championship in 2012. “We are indebted to our seniors in particular for sticking it out in a less than stellar season,” said Coach Kiefer. “We appreciate their commitment to Tuscola football and we are glad that most of them had the opportunity to be a part of some very successful varsity and junior varsity teams over their four years in the program. Several of this year's seniors got to experience the great run to the Western Finals with the 2009 team.”

“We will be diligent in the off-season and look forward to skill development in the spring as well as hitting it hard in the strength and speed program for the remainder of the year until football season gets here again.”

Tuscola Hopes to Upset Burns

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com

Josh Adams Breaks a Tackle vs. Burns in 2009

When the Tuscola varsity football team faced Burns in the second round of the 2009 playoffs, Bulldogs’ sophomore quarterback Brandon Littlejohn played like a senior in a 31-22 loss to the Mountaineers.  Two years later, Littlejohn really is a senior and if he has progressed at the same pace, he may resemble a collegiate sophomore.  “The quarterback, tailback, and some of the other kids were on the team in 2009 when we beat Burns at Tuscola,” said Tuscola Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer.  “So they are very good players and I’m sure they’d like to get a little revenge on the Mountaineers.”

The fifth-ranked, No. 2 seed Bulldogs (10-1, 6-0 SMAC) will get their chance when the Mountaineers (4-7, 4-3 WNCAC) travel to Lawndale tonight for a first round playoff game.  Tuscola is making it's fifth consecutive playoff appearance, and ninth in the last decade.

Littlejohn, one of at least seven college prospects on the team, has thrown for over 6,000 yards in his high school career and has led his team to back-to-back South Mountain Athletic Conference Championships.  He is helped on offense by studs such as running backs Darius Ramsey, Elijah Brown, and Travond Ross, wide receiver Devajay Hopper, and offensive linemen Malik Ross and London Richardson.  T. Ross and Richardson also spend time on the defensive side of the ball and are joined by last year’s SMAC Defensive Player of the Year Devone “Tank” Ramseur on the defensive line.  “They are loaded athletically, no question about that” said Coach Kiefer.  “It’s like any good football team, when you look out there and they don’t have any glaring weaknesses that you can just attack, then it just becomes ‘ok here’s what we have to do, we know what the challenge is.  Let’s step up to the challenge, execute to perfection, and expect to win the ball game.’  We’re going down there to win the game and that’s what we’re going to expect to do and hopefully the kids will step up and we’ll give them the game of our lives.”

Burns may very well be the most difficult challenge the Mountaineers have faced thus far, including the brutal non-conference schedule dubbed “Death Row”, but Tuscola has not given up hope and the Mountaineers plan to give it everything they have.   “You’ve got to live for the day” said Coach Kiefer.  “Maybe we jump in the playoffs and go all the way to the state championship game. That’s our goal, but the bottom line is today is today, you live to play another day and just thank God that you’ve got another day to play.”

 “I’m sure there are a lot of people that think we have no chance, but we don’t feel that way.  We feel like we have every chance in the world.  We’re blessed to still be playing and we’re going to go down there to win the game.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM at Ron Greene Stadium in Lawndale, NC.  The game will be covered by TuscolaFootball.com with live score updates and a radio broadcast by AM 1400 “The Peak”.

Tuscola Falls to Franklin, Makes Playoffs

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com

 

The good news for the Tuscola varsity football team is that they have managed to qualify for the State Playoffs despite a four-win regular season that saw numerous injuries. The bad news is that the Mountaineers were unable to stop Franklin in their final regular season game as the Panthers rolled to a 35-14 victory in front of possibly the smallest crowd to ever attend a varsity football game at C.E. Weatherby Stadium. The loss marks Franklin’s first win over Tuscola since 2006 and the Panthers’ first-ever undefeated regular season.

 

 

After the senior night festivities were cancelled due to weather conditions, the national anthem was played on CD and the football team did not run out through the “T formation” for the first time in many years. The seniors did however get a moment of recognition as they ran out of the tunnel individually with their names being announced over the loud speaker.

After the Mountaineers received the opening kickoff, they drove just into Panther territory before having to punt the ball away. After a few possession changes in the heavy rain, Franklin finally put the first points on the board with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter when Jeb Brewer bolted 22 yards for a touchdown. From there, it was all Franklin until the fourth quarter as four different Panthers found their way into the endzone. Nathan Raby added a six yard touchdown run with 16 seconds remaining in the first following a Levi Duffield interception that was returned 36 yards by Parrish Young, who later scored on an 11 yard run in the second quarter. Marquel Manning punched the ball in from three yards out early in the third quarter and the Panthers finally scored through the air when Brewer caught a seven yard touchdown reception from Austin Gibson with 5:41 remaining in the third.

Though it proved to be too little, too late, the Mountaineers were able to generate some excitement in the fourth quarter when Duffield connected with Hyde for 42 yards, and again for a 28 yard score at the8:12 mark. Tuscola scored again in similar fashion with 27 seconds remaining in the game when Duffield connected with Hyde again for a 23 yard score following a 65 yard completion to Hunter Creson.

Though much of Tuscola’s yardage came late in the game, the big completions actually gave Tuscola more total offensive yardage than the Panthers. The Mountaineers finished the night with 262 total yards (228 through the air and 34 on the ground) as opposed to the Panthers’ 241 total yards (55 through the air and 186 on the ground).

“Franklin was a very good team,” said Tuscola Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer. “We shot ourselves in the foot early in the first couple of drives. Once they got momentum we could not get it back, but I was proud of our kids for continuing to fight back and play hard in the second half.”

 

The Mountaineers (4-7, 4-3 WNCAC) have received the #15 overall seed in the Western Division (#7 pod) and will travel to face the #2 overall seed (#2 pod) Burns Bulldogs (10-1, 6-0 SMAC) this coming Friday, November 4th for a first round playoff game. The game will be a rematch of a second round playoff game in 2009, which the Mountaineers won 31-22. This marks the fifth consecutive appearance for Tuscola, and the ninth in the last ten years.

THS JV's Fall in OT at Franklin, Finish Season 3-6

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com

The Tuscola junior varsity football team traveled to "The Panther Pit" in Franklin this past Thursday night where they fell 28-22 in overtime to finish their season 3-6 (2-4, WNCAC).

The Mountaineers took an early lead in the first quarter when Houston McCracken ran in from three yards out. The Panthers were able to tie the game up early in the second quarter, but a Franklin fumble gave Tuscola the ball at the Panther four yard line about midway through. Tuscola was able to capitalize on the turnover when McCracken punched the ball in from the one yard line, giving Tuscola a 13-7 lead after the missed PAT. Franklin soon answered and took a 14-13 lead, but the Mountaineers struck back when Jakob Vance punched the ball in from one yard out with 35 seconds left in the half, giving Tuscola a 19-14 lead.

The Panthers struck first in the second half, taking a 22-19 lead with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter, but Tuscola tied it up early in the fourth with a field goal. The Mountaineers were able to drive to the Franklin 28 with under a minute remaining in regulation, but the effort fell short and the game went into overtime. Tuscola recieved the ball first in overtime, but an interception in the endzone halted the Mountaineers' quest for points and ultimately sealed their fate. The Panthers then took over and rushed into the endzone on their second play, giving Franklin the 28-22 win.

Tuscola Hopes to Ruin Franklin's Perfect Season

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com





Austin Chambers was instrumental in 2010's overtime win



Franklin High School has never had an undefeated regular football season.   Tuscola (4-6, 4-2) will try to keep it that way when the Panthers (10-0, 6-0) invade C.E. Weatherby Stadium tonight.

The No. 10 Panthers have already clinched at least a share of the WNC Athletic Conference Championship and come into this game ranked in the AP poll for the first time this season.  The roster boasts an eye-popping 26 seniors, who are returning from the team that took Tuscola into overtime last year.  With that being said, not a single one of those seniors have ever been able to defeat the Mountaineers, who currently hold a four game winning streak and an 18-7 overall record in the series.

In order for Tuscola to continue that winning streak, the Mountaineers will have to bounce back from a 55-13 loss to East Henderson last Friday night.  “We’ve got Franklin this week, so we can’t just sit around and whine and cry about (East Henderson)” said Tuscola Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer, who is undefeated against the Panthers.  “There’s no doubt if we come out and play flat like we did last week, we’ll get another 60 put on us.  There’s got to be some urgency.”



The Panthers have made teams pay all season long thanks to standouts like the Young brothers (Jacob, Jeremiah, and Parrish) who each scored touchdowns on offense last week and have over forty tackles a piece this season on defense.  Joining them in the 40+ tackle club are Cody Lindley and college prospect Thomas Evans.  Running back Nathan Raby (691 yards, 8 touchdowns) is expected to return after a one week “flagrant contact” suspension and will be helped by Marquell Manning, who rushed for 191 yards last week.  Jacob, the oldest of the Young brothers has rushed for 711 yards this season and his touchdown against the Falcons last week was his eleventh of the season. “I’ve got a lot of respect for the way they do things,” said Coach Kiefer.  “They’re just old school, smash mouth football.  They’re going to line up and run the ball between the tackles, and get it on the edges, then throw it when they have to, but they’re going to be physical and we’re going to have to be ready.  If we can’t meet that intensity level it’s going to be a long night.  I think physically, we can meet it but whether we do emotionally and mentally is going to be the key to this game.”

Franklin was predicted to come in third in the preseason WNCAC Coaches Poll, but a lot has changed since then.  Pisgah, the conference favorite has fallen to its current spot at fifth, East Henderson sits at the predicted second place spot, and Tuscola was picked to finish fourth, but currently sits at third, even with the loss of pre-season player of the year Rob Howard.  Franklin however, flew under the radar and has risen to the top.  Despite this, if Tuscola wins tonight, Franklin and East Henderson would split the conference title (as long as the Eagles avoid an upset at West Henderson) and the Mountaineers would finish second in conference standings.  There is a lot at stake in what will most likely be the final game at C.E. Weatherby Stadium for the Class of 2012.  “Most of these kids have been playing there from the time they played little league football, all the way through middle and high school, and it’s a big thing” Coach Kiefer said.  “Tuscola football is tradition.  People are proud to say that they wore the black and gold, and the T on their helmet—and it means something, so I just hope we come out and play like that.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM at C.E. Weatherby Stadium in Waynesville.  The game will be covered by TuscolaFootball.com with live score updates and a radio broadcast by AM 1400 “The Peak”.

Prediction: 
Tuscola- 28, Franklin- 27



Eagles Soar Past Tuscola

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com

The Tuscola varsity football team went into Friday’s matchup with East Henderson tied for second place in the conference, hoping to earn an unlikely chance to compete for their third conference title in four years. Those hopes were crushed as the Eagles soared past the Mountaineers, 55-13. This marks the first time Tuscola has allowed over 50 points since a 53-7 loss to A.C. Reynolds on September 14, 2007.

A Tuscola defense that has generally been strong against the run this season gave up an unprecedented 449 yards rushing, with three different Eagles (Kaleb Hodsden, Logan James, and Seth Owen) rushing for over 100 yards a piece. Owen also threw for 225 yards to give East Henderson 696 yards in total offense (backup quarterback Jonathan Maybin also contributed). “I am very disappointed that we did not provide more competition for East (Henderson)”said Tuscola Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer. “Defensively, we struggled mightily all night. I don't know if their backs were just that quick or what the problem was, but we seemed unable to tackle anyone. Our defense had really played well against the run throughout our conference schedule.”

Though the Eagles eventually ran away with the game, it was not always out of reach. Tuscola’s first score brought the game within three points late in the first quarter with an 11 yard touchdown run by Levi Duffield that capped a four-play, 65 yard drive which included passes of 33 and 21 yards from Duffield to Chase Justice. Alex Bacon came up with a big interception on the Eagles’ next possession, giving the Mountaineers an opportunity to take the lead, but the Tuscola offense was unable to capitalize. “Offensively, we were able to move the ball decently in the beginning of the game” said Coach Kiefer. “Duffield made some good throws at times, but other than in the first quarter we were not able to sustain drives.” The Mountaineers finally struck again with 42 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Duffield connected with Justice for a 52 yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. In a fight for pride, Duffield ran into the endzone from 20 yards out with only seconds remaining, but a block in the back penalty erased the score. The Eagle defense held Tuscola to just 75 yards rushing on the night, Duffield was sacked five times, and the Mountaineers committed four turnovers.

In all honesty, the Tuscola football team that has started to electrify crowds in recent weeks was nowhere to be found this past Friday night in East Flat Rock. “We tried to convey to our kids the importance of this game and the importance of playing well and playing with intensity,” Coach Kiefer said. “I will take the blame because apparently I did not convey that message well enough.”

“Despite the embarrassing outcome, we did have some kids who played well all night long. We will regroup and give it our best shot against an undefeated Franklin team next Friday. Hopefully we will come out and play with Mountaineer pride on Senior Night and send our seniors out with a victory in possibly their final game ever in C.E. Weatherby Stadium.”

Title-Minded Mountaineers Face Eagles

Patrick Maney

TuscolaFootball.com

Photo: Tuscola defense stops Shack Davis in 2010

The Tuscola varsity football team is hitting its stride at just the right time. Coming off their largest victory of the season, the Mountaineers will enter into the first of two crucial games that will ultimately determine who finishes the season as the WNC Athletic Conference Champion.  “I want to go out and win two games in a row,” said Tuscola Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer “Our goal is to upset teams that we’re probably not supposed to beat, and go in as the conference champion.”

The first of these games will take place tonight in East Flat Rock as the Mountaineers (4-5, 4-1) battle with the Eagles (5-3, 4-1) for sole possession of the second place spot in conference standings, which both teams are currently tied for.  A win tonight would send Tuscola into a huge matchup with Franklin for the conference title next week, but a loss would most likely end the Mountaineers’ hopes.  Any way you put it, Tuscola needs to pull out two wins—and if they do, they are conference champions.



Photo: Sam Anderson vs. the Eagles in 2010

Tuscola leads the overall series against East Henderson 26-4, but that says nothing about tonight’s matchup.  In last year’s important game with the Eagles, quarterback Rob Howard went down for the season.  Sam Anderson stepped up and led the team in a hard fought comeback effort, but the Eagles ultimately prevailed 45-30.  A year later, it will be Levi Duffield who will lead the Mountaineers.  Though Howard’s presence is missed on the field, Duffield has rapidly become skilled at the position and there is a lot of good team chemistry.

With that being said, East Henderson is going to give Tuscola all it can handle.  “They’re a good football team and they’ve got really good size up front” said Coach Kiefer.  “They always seem to have a go-to kid that makes plays all over the field and is almost unstoppable. This year, it’s a kid named Steffon Hill.  He returns kicks, punts, plays receiver, and runs the ball.  They use him in multiple ways, so he’s going to be a real big challenge for us.”  Defensively, the Eagles have a lot to offer as well.   “I think one of their linebackers (Thomas Waddell) is one of the best defensive players in the conference.” Coach Kiefer said.  “They have good athletes everywhere, so it’s going to be a real challenge.  I think it’s a situation where we can’t worry about them.  We have to go in and take care of us, and that’s our attitude.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM at E.L. Justus Field in East Flat Rock.  The game will be covered by TuscolaFootball.com with live score updates and a radio broadcast by AM 1400 “The Peak”. 

Prediction:

Tuscola- 28, East Henderson- 24