CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 2022-23 high school football season is officially underway. For Montgomery Central, they kicked off their season with a matchup against Sycamore High.
The Indians were able to capture the opening night victory due to their execution during all three phases of the game. Most notably, their offense was led by Andrew White’s 3 touchdown performance.
However, Sycamore tested Montgomery Central throughout the night, which included the very first drive of the game.
The War Eagles established their running game during their first possession. They put together 50 yards rushing on their opening drive which led them to a red zone opportunity. The Indians held their ground after initially being run all over the field. The drive ultimately ended with Montgomery Central forcing a deflected pass in the end zone which resulted in a turnover on downs.
Quality defense was a trend that paid dividends early on for each team. It wasn’t until the fourth possession of the ball game that Montgomery Central found a way to score the opening touchdown. This turned out to be White’s first of three trips to the end zone. After a bad snap, the running back gathered the loose ball and ran down the sideline for a 40 yard touchdown.
2nd quarter
Sycamore responded immediately after giving up the score. The play of the drive was based around their quarterback’s ability to throw under pressure. He completed a 20 yard pass on 3rd down before getting hit hard by a pass rusher. The drive was capped off by the quarterback connecting with his receiver on a slant route that he carried into the end zone. The score made it a 7-7 game in the second quarter of action.
Following their touchdown, the War Eagles tried to push their luck and elected to kick an onside kick. Sycamore failed to take advantage of the risky play call, and Montgomery Central secured the ball and great field position.
The Indians were able to move the ball for a couple of first downs on the drive, but failed to take advantage of the field position they were given. Nevertheless, due to an excellent punt, Montgomery Central pinned Sycamore back within their own 5 yard line.
Montgomery Central’s defense took full advantage of the opportunity following the special teams execution on a perfectly placed punt. They went on to record a strip sack in the end zone following a quarterback rollout which resulted in a safety. Following the safety, the score remained 9-7 with MCHS leading as the first half concluded.
Half time
Each team made their way back onto the field after the half time show which included the MCHS band, dance team and cheerleaders all performing.
The third quarter is where Montgomery Central truly separated themselves from their opponent. During their second drive of the half, Andrew White burst into the open field to collect his second touchdown of the game. It just so happened to be his second 40 yard run too.
The Indians didn’t stop there though. Their defense used the team’s momentum to their advantage and forced another Sycamore fumble. Montgomery Central fell on the loose ball on their opponents 28 yard line. This gave their offense a golden opportunity to make it a two possession game.
After failing to accomplish much on the first two downs of the drive, Jack Pulley completed a pass over the middle of the field to White. The running back made two defenders miss before scoring his third and final touchdown of the game. With the touchdown, the score was run up to 22-7.
The War Eagles knew they had to put something together with time playing against them. The team did not panic, and executed a seven play drive which ended with Sycamore scoring on a jet touch pass. The War Eagles went ahead and went for two, but were unsuccessful. The failed two point conversion kept it a two possession game.
Montgomery Central’s defense held Sycamore from scoring the remainder of the game and won by a score of 22-13. Friday’s win not only marked the Indians first of the season, but the first career win for head coach Corey Wright.
Postgame
“This is a great feeling,” said Wright. “It feels better than I ever thought it would, but it’s something I have to put in my back pocket and move forward with. It’s the nature of the beast, and it’s time to move on to week 2 which should be a track meet. We’re going to celebrate tonight, and move forward tomorrow.”
The head coach went on to complement each unit of his team, and the underclassmen that stepped up throughout the contest.
Montgomery Central travels to Northeast High to take on the Eagles during week two of the 2022-23 season. Each team will fight to stay undefeated to start the new year.