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Douglas knocks off Lions
Published November 1, 2008
DOUGLAS — As the losses to superior opponents piled up this season, the Douglas football team stuck together and continued to work hard, believing it would again experience success.
Friday night, the Eagles were rewarded for their efforts, coming from behind twice to defeat Crossville 18-14 at Arthur Jarvis Stadium in the season finale for both squads.
Douglas finished 2-8, snapping an eight-game losing streak. It was the Eagles’ second straight win over Crossville.
“It’s a great feeling,” said B.J. Allen, a Douglas senior. “What all we’ve done in the weight room and just getting them to continue to do it is a thing that we’re going to try to do here. We’ve got them on the right track if they’ll just keep on going.
“There was never a major argument or anything (this season). We backed each other up just like a family. It was a good year.”
The Lions finished 3-7, their fourth consecutive losing season.
It was an emotional final week for Crossville due to the death of Crossville volunteer firefighter Cody Renfroe, whose brother, Dane, and stepbrother, Garrett Gray, are two of the squad’s seniors.
Renfroe dedicated the game to his brother.
“That’s all I did,” he said. “I tried my hardest, but sometimes it just don’t work out for us.”
Renfroe, who wears No. 8, traded jerseys with quarterback Nick Davis, who wears No. 14. Cody Renfroe wore No. 14 during his Lion playing career.
“I came in the fieldhouse today, and he came in there, and I had my jersey in my locker,” Renfroe said. “And he said I know your brother is 14, and I’d just like you to wear it tonight for him.”
Renfroe scored the game’s first touchdown — on a 14-yard run around right end — with 41.6 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Eagles drove 68 yards in 13 plays, cutting Crossville’s lead to 7-6 on Josh Walker’s 7-yard run with 6:32 left in the second period.
Eric Paul, of Douglas, intercepted Jordan Jenkins’ halfback pass with 5:24 remaining.
Douglas’ offense took over and marched 78 yards in 13 plays, grabbing a 12-7 lead on Kyle Buchanan’s 1-yard quarterback sneak with 1:04 on the clock.
The Lions regained the advantage on their first series of the second half, driving 58 yards in eight plays.
The big gain was a 24-yard pass from Davis to Nick Richards, giving CHS a first-and-goal at the 3. Davis sneaked over from the 1 with 6:55 left in the third period.
Michael West’s interception stopped Douglas’ ensuing drive at the CHS 9-yard line.
On their next possession, the Eagles drove 69 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Paul had catches of 19 and 11 yards during the drive, which Buchanan capped on a 1-yard sneak with 8:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Walker’s interception sealed the Eagles’ victory with 23.9 seconds to go.
Douglas’ Matt Ross made a key play early in the first quarter by recovering a Lion fumble at the DHS 8-yard line.
“This program has been through a lot of adversity, and like I always say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we took a mini-step again tonight,” said first-year Douglas coach Brian Knapp.
“Going 2-8, that’s progression from probably one to two years ago, and I’m looking forward to hitting the offseason and improving even more.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these 13 seniors that played a really tough schedule. A lot of kids would have laid down and quit, but they kept fighting and I love them to death.
“They’re real special, because they’re my first team as a head football coach.”
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