Week 4 brought the Owls to Livingston Academy to take on the Wildcats (1-2). Though not a regional matchup for the Owls, a big game nonetheless for Coach Dickerson’s squad. Containing Livingston’s explosive offensive weapons, Carter Haynes at quarterback, and one of the quickest running backs in the region, Dylan Lindner, definitely would be key for a SCHS victory.
The game got underway following a steady downpour of rain that left the field messy and soggy. The Owls wasted no time making magic happen when the opening kickoff from LA was ran to the house by Bailey Kemp from the Owl’s 35 yard line. With less than 30 ticks off the clock, following the PAT from Bryant Goolsby, the Owls led 7-0. This lead proved to be short lived indeed. Following the ensuing kickoff, Livingston’s first play from scrimmage resulted in a 65 yard touchdown run from Lindner on a jet sweep. Just as quickly as the Owls went on top, they found themselves tied up at 7-7 with 11:16 remaining in the first quarter. Two scores, one from each team, in the first 45 seconds of the game prepared the crowd for what would prove to be a high scoring matchup.
Smith County’s second offensive possession was comprised of 7 running plays, netting 1 first down, but resulted in a turnover on downs after the Owls had moved the ball to the Wildcat 36, starting from their own 40. The black and gold defense did an excellent job in containing LA’s 2nd possession resulting in a 3 and out. The offense hit the field once again starting from their own 42 following the return by Shermar King. The running attack from their previous drive resumed as the Owls successfully moved the ball into LA territory with good blocking and strong, patient running from Dusten Holder. At the Wildcat 20, the Owls were faced with 4th down and attempted a field goal that was blocked. With 2:41 remaining in the opening period, it seemed as if a big opportunity had come and gone for the black and gold. This became a reality just seconds later when Linder scored his second touchdown of the night on Livingston’s first play after taking over at their own 20 yard line. The first quarter would soon come to and end with Livingston in possession; Livingston 14, Smith County 7.
Livingston continued their drive to open the second quarter and were able to drive the ball down the field resulting in a touchdown via a pitch and pass play from the Owl 26. Faced with a 14 point deficit, the Owls needed a big play and as he has done before, Shermar King delivered. After fielding the kickoff, he ran the ball down the visitor sideline with the end-zone in site. A mishandling of the ball resulted in a self-recovered fumble, but left the Owls in excellent field position and poised to strike. Starting from the Wildcat 16 yard line, it only took 4 plays for the Owls to tighten things up with a 5 yard touchdown run from Holder. Next, came a two point conversion attempt that was successful thanks to a pass from Carson Hackett to Shermar King making the score Livingston 21, Owls 15.
The Owl defense did not give up much on the following offensive effort by LA. After a single Wildcat first down, the drive came to an end with 4:15 remaining in the half. Knowing that one score would give Smith County a chance to go into halftime with a lead, the Owls wasted no time getting back to work. Just 3 plays into the drive, Hackett once again connects with King, where he breaks a tackle and takes it all the way to the end-zone. For the points after, Hackett pitches the ball to Holder but he is stopped short of the goal line resulting with 21 on the score card for each team. The half would end with Livingston unable score in the final 2:50of the half.
Following an excellent kickoff from Ethan Elliot, the Wildcat’s first drive in the 2nd half got underway from their own 25. The Owls defense came into the 3rd ready to play, and were able to shut down the Hog-eye offense resulting in a 3 and out thanks to a huge sack by Bailey Kemp pinning them to their own 15 yard line. The Owls ensuing drive was one that really set the tone for the remainder of the game, offensively establishing a running game that the Wildcats seemingly had no answer to. Holder ran the ball on 4 consecutive plays resulting in 2 first downs and 31 yards. With 5:41 remaining in the 3rd, Hackett once again connected with King for a 15 yard touchdown pass putting the Owls up 28-21. The play of the Owls’ defense continued to dominate the LA offense forcing a fumble on their first play following the kickoff, recovered by Glenn Wickman. Up by one score, the Owls were in position to put this game out of reach, taking over at the opponents 38 yard line. Three first downs later thanks to good blocking by the Owl front line and patient running from Holder, the Owls got into the end-zone again with 1:37 remaining in the 3rd quarter making the score 34-21 Owls (following a failed PAT from Bryant Goolsby). The Wildcats would start what would turn out to be their longest drive of the game to end the 3rd and take us to the final period. The drive would be comprised of a mix of passes, rushes, and quarterback keepers; resulting in 3 first downs and a total yield of 50 yards for the Wildcats’ offense. Andy Shoemake and Tyler Harris delivered key stops, sacking Haynes, in turn forcing a turnover on downs and preventing a Wildcat score. Taking over deep in their own territory, the black and gold struck again on only the second play of the ensuing drive. With less than 5:30 remaining in the game Holder once again put the ball in the end-zone providing the Owls a commanding 41-21 margin. Livingston would get the ball 2 more times to end the half, however, the Owls’ defense did not give up much. Smith County sealed the deal by holding LA scoreless in the 2nd half. They scored 20 unanswered points to end the game. Your final: Smith County Owls 41 – Livingston Academy 21.
The Owls next opponent is regional rival Dekalb County in Smithville Friday night.
