Freshman football loses 20-8 to Athens Academy junior varsity team

The Cedar Shoals 9th grade football team lost to the Athens Academy Spartans junior varsity team 20-8 on Oct. 17 in their final game of the season. 

Cedar opened up the scoring as running back Aubrey Curry caught a 15 yard reception. Bradon Bryant then ran in for a 2-point conversion. That was the only touchdown scored by the Jaguars, and the Spartans scored three touchdowns the rest of the way. 

Quarterback Baynes Collins ran for a 5 yard touchdown for Athens Academy, making it 8-6 with 57 seconds left in the first quarter. The Spartans failed to convert on a 2-point conversion, keeping the score 8-6 in favor of Cedar Shoals. Baynes Collins then ran for a 10-yard touchdown making the score 12-8 in favor of Athens Academy, but linebacker Jeramiah Pearce stopped Chap Chapman with 2:44 left to go in the first quarter to prevent a 2-point conversion.

The second half was a defensive grind with only one touchdown from Athens Academy. Collins rushed for another touchdown followed by a 2-point conversion with 4:18 to go in the 3rd quarter. This 20-8 score would be the final margin of the game.

Cedar Shoals head coach Norman Clark believes there are a couple of players that will have an impact on varsity next year such as fullback/defensive end Adrian Overstreet, running back/safety Robert Blackwell, quarterback/defensive back Bradin Bryant and wide receiver Jakiese Eberhart. 

“We started off slow (this season)  because we had guys that never played football before, but they really have made progress,” Clark said. 

The Jaguars played sound defense throughout the entire game. The very first offensive drive was impressive as they were able to score quickly. Ending with two wins this year, the freshmen will look to improve the varsity team’s current 0-9 campaign next season.