Smith County Football drops region opener to Upperman

August 31, 2018

The Smith County Owls lost to the Upperman Bees, 36-12. In a game that started out in the Owls favor, they weren’t able to maintain momentum and couldn’t stop Upperman’s running attack.

Jaden Apple-Gibbs got the Owls started off on the right foot, returning the opening kickoff to the Owls 44 yard line. Three plays later, Apple-Gibbs was able to break away for a 36 yard touchdown run to out the Owls up, putting the Owls up 6-0 only a minute and a half into the game. The PAT was no good.

Upperman was able to respond quick with a rushing attack of their own, scoring a touchdown and making the PAT to go up 7-6.

The Owls second drive saw them go 59 yards, with Cameron Spivey finding both Eli Martin and Isaac Dick through the pass game for crucial first downs before Spivey ran the ball in for the touchdown from two yards out. The PAT was no good, bringing the owls lead to 12-7 late in the first quarter.

Upperman was quick to make their way back to the endzone, putting together a drive that started with good field position from their kickoff return. A 24 yard touchdown run a few places later put Upperman back in the lead 14-12 just a minute into the second quarter.

The Owls were forced to punt on their next drive. A deep punt from Smith County saw Upperman start at the 14 yard line, but a 69 yard Upperman run a few plays later put the Bees on the 21 yard line. A couple plays later, Upperman was able to run it in from the two yard line on 3rd and Goal to go up 21-12 with just under four minutes left in the first half.

Another forced punt by Upperman allowed them to drive down and on the verge of scoring a touchdown before the half, but the Owls were able to hold Upperman to a field goal to go into the half down 24-12.

Upperman got the second half started with a series of runs that saw them score a touchdown just two minutes into the half. The Bees missed the PAT, putting their lead at 30-12.

Eli Martin returned the following kickoff to the 48 yard line to put the Owls in great position. The Owls weren’t able to get anything going and turned the ball over on four downs.

Upperman’s running game tore through Smith County’s defense and was able to drive down the field. An Upperman 20 yard rushing touchdown put the score at 36-12 halfway through the third quarter.

On Smith County’s next drive, Spivey went down with an injury causing the Owls to play with Apple-Gibbs in the quarterback position. Smith County was able to move forward after the injury, but was forced to punt.

The rest of the game and entirety of the fourth quarter saw both teams struggle to get anything going.

What’s Next?

The Owls have a bye week coming up, but will look to bounce back from their two game losing streak in two weeks on September 14th when Smith County hosts region opponent York.

Smith County Owls sing alma mater after 36-12 loss to Upperman High School