Youth: Timpson overcomes Center for 8-9 YO title
Champions, the Timpson Bears. (Photo by John Krueger)
SHELBYVILLE -- The Center Purple Roughriders bolted out to a 14-0 advantage before Timpson ran an offensive play Saturday morning, but it wasn't enough of a lead as the Bears methodically got back into the game and scored the winning points in the fourth quarter in the Shelby County Youth Football League 8-9 Year Old Tackle Championship Game played at Dragon Stadium.
Center gained more offensive yardage (157-114) as the Roughriders built the early lead on key plays originated by Jaxon Covington. Covington hooked up with Logan Mitchell for a 30-yard touchdown pass as Center Purple rolled 55 yards in five plays for the score after the opening kickoff. Tyler Fountain added the 2-point conversion, giving Center an 8-0 lead with 6:46 left in the opening period.
The Bears then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Center took over. On the second play from scrimmage, Covington found daylight around the left end and he didn't stop running until he has scored 50 yards later. The try for two failed, but the Roughriders led 14-0 with 5:43 still left in the second quarter.
Timpson jumped back in the contest late in the quarter. After receiving the kickoff after the Center score, the Bears methodically drove 47 yards in seven plays for the touchdown. Jordan Osby took the handoff and ran around left end for the 27-yard score. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but Timpson had pulled to within 14-6 with 50 seconds left in the opening period.
Early in the second quarter, Center was faced with a 4th-down situation and decided to punt - which might have been the first-ever in the league. The punt was successful, flying 39 yards with the roll, but Osby picked up the ball and got past the Center containment for a 67-yard punt return down the right sideline. The conversion again came up short, but Timpson was now within 14-12 with 6:48 showing on the second-quarter clock.
Center fumbled the next kickoff and Timpson recovered. But two plays later Covington picked off a pass. Neither team would threaten again before the end of the first half, with Center clinging to a 14-12 lead.
Timpson's Kendall Davis recorded an interception at the end of the third quarter to help the Bears keep the Roughriders scoreless and put the Bears within striking distance. He returned the pick 18 yards.
The Bears took the ball and marched 39 yards in seven plays to take the lead for good. Dustin Pledger completed a pass to Nictaeo Scourton on a 4th-and-10 play, which resulted in a 17-yard gain to keep the drive alive - and move the ball to the Center 3-yard line. Pledger then scored on a naked bootleg around the right end and scored on the three-yard run. Pledger's try for two was unsuccessful, but Timpson now held an 18-14 lead with 4:58 still on the clock.
Center Purple had two more possessions to try to score before the end of the game, but the Timpson defense held to record the championship victory.
Members of the Timpson Bears include:
No. - Name
2 - Dustin Pledger
7 - Kendall Davis
10 - Jordan Osby
16 - Shane Peveto
17 - Jaren Solice
20 - Shykeem Washington
22 - Kyle Bush
24 - Jarvis Curtis
33 - Phillip Bussey
44 - Chase Lily
50 - Brandon Addison
51 - Cameron McCollister
53 - Jaylin Green
54 - Hayden Jordan
60 - Nicholas Arvello
63 - Joseph Hendricks
83 - DeKameron Berry
88 - Nictaeo Scourton
Timpson is coached by Anthony Curtis, Eric Pledger, Bill Peveto, John Solice and Roberto Bussey. The team is sponsored by Robin Crawford and The Quick Stop, along with The Timpson & Tenaha News.
Members of the Center Purple Roughriders include:
No. - Name
1 - Jarvis Hubbard
2 - Kaleb Parks
4 - Kewone Thomas
5 - Jermond Parks
7 - Clay Snider
8 - Dylan Whittlesey
9 - Dakota Wagstaff
10 - Raylon Cofer
11 - Kobe Whisenant
12 - Christian Lee
16 - Kyle Lambert
17 - Jaxon Covington
18 - Tyler Fountain
20 - DeAndre "Tre" Burns
28 - Blaine Gaddy
88 - Logan Mitchell
Center Purple is coached by Jason Mitchell, Jason Covington and Michael Whisenant. The team is sponsored by General Shelters.