Sports
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Giles County High School football team lost its annual Cowbell Game to Lawrence County Friday 42-24, marking the first time the Bobcats have lost a game in more than a year.
“We really wanted to win this game for our fans and our community,” Bobcats head coach David O’Connor said. “But in the end, we just weren’t able to get things going offensively to give ourselves a chance to win the ballgame.”
Giles County led 10-0 midway through the second quarter but allowed a late first half touchdown by Lawrence County that was the first in 35 unanswered points the Wildcats would score.
“Even when it was good, it wasn’t good,” O’Connor said of the team’s play. “We didn’t execute good. We didn’t do our assignments well. We didn’t set up a good enough game plan. It was a total team loss.”
O’Connor said the Wildcats did exactly what he expected them to do.
“This is something good teams will put behind them and one thing for sure, we won’t get it back,” the coach said. “We will use the film and this game as a tool. You don’t overdo the bad things. Can’t harp on that too long.”
Giles County got on the board first when Trey Shirey scored on a 1-yard run. The score was set up by a 59-yard pass from quarterback Al Cobb to Colton Belew.
In the second quarter, Arnoldo Valdevizio kicked a 33-yard field goal to give Giles County the 10-0 lead.
In the fourth quarter, De’Quan Nelson took a Lawrence County kickoff and sprinted 97 yards for a Bobcat touchdown.
Late in the fourth quarter, Cobb hit Orlando Holt with a 20-yard touchdown pass to finish the scoring.
This week’s Players of the Week are:
• De’Quan Nelson — Special Teams
• Drew Garrett — Defense
• Arnoldo Valdevizio — Offense
Cobb finished eight for 15 passing for 156 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Bracey Myles was Giles County’s leading rusher, carrying 12 times for 44 yards.
Belew was the Bobcats’ leading receiver with two catches for 72 yards.
Myles added three catches for 57 yards to his offensive total.
Defensively, Damien Reynolds had eight solo tackles and one assist.
Garrett and Michael Stevenson each had 10 total tackles. Stevenson had one sack.
Cameron Ford and Luke Pierce each had eight tackles.
Sam Abernathy had seven tackles and one fumble recovery.
Rodney Brown had five tackles and a fumble recovery.
Alex Ballentine blocked a punt.
“Sometimes you have to lose to appreciate winning,” O’Connor said. “Their (the players’) weekend was as bad as ours. Our kids are tough and they will bounce back really well I think. I expect them to come back and play really well against Spring Hill.”
O’Connor said Spring Hill seems to be a well-coached team with several athletes.
Spring Hill lost to Mt. Pleasant last week 16-13.
Giles County will play at Spring Hill Friday, Sept. 3. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.