Coach Mark Wattenbarger and his staff and team knew that they were taking on one of the best teams in the state in the Alcoa Tornadoes and the Panther mentor wasn't pleased with his team's overall effort. Wattenbarger commented, "We knew that they were a great team and very deep but our mistakes early just magnified how good they are. We didn't play up to our potential and we didn't fight well."
Stone turned the ball over early deep in their territory but a good defensive play and interception by Larry Breeden kept the Tornadoes out of the end zone on their initial effort. Wattenbarger said, "Larry gave us a good effort today and competed well."
Alcoa managed to get their potent offense going on their next possession and they scored their second touchdown of the game to take a 14-0 lead witth 6:01 remaining in the first quarter. Less than a minute later, following a Panther fumble, Alcoa scored again to extend the lead to 21-0 on their way to a final victory margin of 49-6.
To illustrate just how much the Panthers turned the ball over on this blustery wet day, Wattenbarger said, "We only punted the ball once in the game. The rest of the time we were turning the ball over."
Alcoa stretched their lead to 28-0 in the first period on their way to a 42-0 halftime lead.
Stone recovered an Alcoa fumble to start the third period but they couldn't capitalize and another Panther miscue on fourth down gave the opponent the ball at the Stone 33-yard line. This time the Panther defense stepped up and stopped the Tornadoes but another turnover by interception gave the ball back to Alcoa. The Panther defense again held and when Alcoa tried to convert on fourth down Stone linebacker Brandon Cole ripped the ball away from the running back and scampered 37 yards for a Panther touchdown to make the score 42-6 as the third period ended.
Stone kicked off to start the final quarter and the result was a Tornado 89-yard return for a touchdown to put the final margin at 49-6.
Wattenbarger said, "Defensively we gave a hard effort but we just didn't fight well on the offensive side of the ball. We didn't block very well."
Stone (2-7, 0-5) will now have a week off to prepare for Scott County (3-5, 0-4).
The Panther mentor said, "They run a spread offense and will throw the ball a lot and defensively they are a lot like us. It will just come down to blocking and tackling."
The winner of this contest becomes playoff eligible.
Area Sports
Stone falls to a powerful Alcoa
- Area Sports
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Hook, line and sinker
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Cole signs with Bryan College
Another Stone Memorial basketball player will be calling Bryan College home for the 2012-'13 school year, as senior Brandon Cole signed scholarship players to play for the Lions and join his former Panther teammate Robert Troino at the Dayton school.
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Lady Jets softball team closes season with banquet
The Cumberland County High School Lady Jet softball team was honored with a banquet Tuesday night at Mitch's in Lake Tansi.
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Jet soccer team honored for great season
The Cumberland County High School Jet soccer team was recognized May 22 at their annual banquet, after finishing third in the district and posting a school-record 11 wins. The team finished with an 11-7-1 record, after losing 4-3 to Coffee County in the district tournament.
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Volleyball tryouts set
Tryouts for the 2012 Cumberland County High School Lady Jet volleyball team will be May 30-June 1 from noon to 2 p.m. in the CCHS gym.
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Taylor, Green co-champs of Tennessee Senior State Open
Professional Harry Taylor and amateur Danny Green were declared co-champions of the third annual Tennessee Senior State Open presented by the City of Crossville May 21-22 at Stonehenge Golf Club. The 36-hole tournament was shortened to 18, as the second round was canceled due to unplayable course conditions, according to the TPGA.
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Iles, teammates win AAU Div. I state title
- Diamond Scores
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McNeely named CCHS wrestling coach
Cumberland County High School didn't have go far to find a wrestling coach for 2012-'13, as former assistant and Phoenix School teacher Wes McNeely will replace retiring coach James Brady.
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Nelson signs to play tennis at Cumberland
Stone Memorial senior tennis player Dylan Nelson recently signed to play tennis with Cumberland University in Lebanon.
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