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Published Saturday, November 15, 2008 in Sports

Slow start haunts Indians in loss

By Stuart Crosby

The Times-Herald

HINESVILLE --The look on the face of East Coweta Indians head coach Clint Wade told the story of Friday night's 19-7 loss to the Bradwell Tigers in their Class AAAAA first round playoff game at Olvey Field.

"Talking to the kids and the finality of the season will be very hard to deal with," said Wade, whose team finished 7-4 in his first year after being promoted to head coach. "I especially hate it for our seniors because they are a good group kids."

The Indians struggles were mainly in the first half as they were unable to generate any offense against a tough Tiger defense.

One of the struggles for East Coweta came in the first quarter when quarterback Zach Hutcheson was intercepted at the Tigers 44 by Saquan Anderson who returned it to the Indians 38 with 10:40 remaining.

The Tigers took advantage of the turnover three plays later when Demario Day scored on a 28-yard run to the right with 9:27 remaining to take a 6-0 lead after a failed extra point.

After the touchdown, the Indians offense continued to have trouble getting on track as Hutcheson and Austin Ingram, alternating plays at quarterback, each felt pressure while tailback Tay Willis was stopped for very little gain.

The Tigers weren't able to do much better as they had several drives that moved inside the Indians 35 yard line only to be stopped on a fourth down play by the defense.

Bradwell finally got a second score before the half as Day completed a nine play, 61-yard drive with a one-yard run in the final two minutes to take a 12-0 lead to the locker room as the extra point attempt failed.

When the half ended, the Tigers had 120 yards of offense to East Coweta's 31.

"We needed to get to them quick because they are a pretty good team," Wade said. "Unfortunately we weren't able to get going in the half."

As the second half began, the Tigers took possession inside of their own 10 and methodically went on a drive as Day had a 45-yard run while Manuel Crum had a 10-yard run.

The Tigers got as far as the Indians 19 when they were unable to convert on a fourth down play with 7:02 remaining in the third period.

The Indians offense began to get in gear as they moved downfield behind several runs by Ingram and MaDerrius Robinson including a five-yard run on a fake punt to keep the drive alive.

After a pass interference penalty against the Tigers, the Indians were able to get on the scoreboard as Cody Davis scored on a 10-yard run with 1:48 remaining in the quarter to cut the margin to 12-7 after Tyler Willis converted the extra point.

On the ensuing series, the Tigers threatened to add to the score as Sheldon Barnes had a 42-yard run that led to a first-and-10 at the Indians 23 but the drive stalled and Bradwell tried a field goal which was blocked and recovered at the EC 30 by Robinson with 10:29 remaining in the game.

The Indians were unable to take advantage as Ingram was intercepted five plays later at midfield.

The Tigers scored the final points of the game on the ensuing series behind three runs by Barnes who scored from 26 yards with 6:47 remaining and the extra point was successful.

The Indians had a couple of chances to rally as Hutcheson completed several passes to Felton James that made it inside the Tigers territory but an interception on one series and a loss on downs on a following drive ended East Coweta's chances of a comeback.

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