Macon County Football Alumni Wins Over Smith County 17-15

On Saturday night May 19, we took 35 Macon County alumni football players to play the Smith County Owls and each one of the players stepped up and answered the call.  I knew that we had a much more determined team this year that really wanted to win.  Many of the players that played last year did not want to lose this year and then there were a lot of new players that helped us bring this win back.  I felt like we were much stronger up front and we had several good running backs.  Our defense played tough and stepped up several times during the game.  The Owls had 45 players on their sideline to go against us and during last year’s game; they scored on several big plays.  This year we took the big plays away from them.  The 1st quarter was a defensive showdown and each team was trying to feel around and see what would work.  The Owls drew first blood as they recovered a fumble during the 2nd quarter and drove the ball down the field and 9 plays later scored the first touchdown.  They kicked the extra point and that made the score 7-0.  On the very next offensive series and the first play, a pass from quarterback Mickey Swindle was tipped at the line of scrimmage but receiver Jeremiah Hackert was still able to make the catch and scored for a 69 yard touchdown reception.  Kyle Woodard then completed the 2-point conversion and the Tigers went in at halftime up by a score of 8-7.  The 3rd quarter was pretty much like the 1st as both teams had the defenses tuned in and the score was the same at the end of three.  During the 4th quarter, we fumbled early on and the Owls once again took advantage and after running eleven plays, they scored their 2nd touchdown.  They went for 2 and it was good so the score then became 15-8.  With less than 6 minutes to go in the game and the Owls thinking they had the game in the bag, Mickey Swindle hit his receivers, Hackert, Trask and Greenhalgh to move the ball down the field.  The drive was ended with a touchdown pass to Chris Greenhalgh and the 2-point conversion was no good.  This made the score 15-14 with around 2 minutes to go in the game.  Things were not looking very good for the Tigers but our defense was determined to get the ball back and with 1:09 left, the defense forced an Owl fumble with the Tigers recovering the ball on the Owls 26 yard line.  The Tigers never gave up as we attempted 3 plays to make the endzone but could not get very far.  With :14 seconds left in the game and on 4th down, Jeremiah Hackert lined up and attempted a 42 yard fieldgoal.  The ball went through the goal posts and put the Tigers on top 17-15.  The defense went back out on the field and held on for the final few plays to finish with a Tiger victory!  Each player on the team had the heart and determination to never give up and gave 100% throughout the game.  I would like to thank each and every one of these players and also all the coaches that helped me this year – Tim Greenhalgh, Anthony Carter, Duane Willson, Allan Jenkins, and Bubba Young.  I’d also like to thank the ball boys, Tanner Wilmore, Gene Carman IV, Taylor Carman and Jason Sewell along with my sideline help of Tony “Cheesy” Gregory and Derek Crowder.  We are planning another game for next year with either Smith County again or possibly Westmoreland so everyone needs to come out and help support your Tigers once again.  Thanks to everyone that traveled to Carthage and came out to the game this year and hopefully you left knowing that you just witnessed a great football game where no one ever gave up!