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Tigers take Rebels in 40th bowl

By Paul Henry, Staff Writer

The Tigers from Fayetteville Junior High School gave the Rebels from Franklin County a little payback with a 28-6 victory in the 40th Annual Lions Bowl.  The Rebels handed the Tigers their only loss of the season on their home field during homecoming in the regular season but found FJHS out for revenge as the two teams met in Tullahoma Thursday night.

Coach Lance Evans, in his first year at the helm for the Tigers, is not the only Evans to have a big win at the Lions Bowl. Back in 1975, then Central High School Tiger Coach, Billy Joe Evans, Lance’s father, led CHS to a 21-20 victory over Father Ryan.  Since that time, FJHS has gone to the well at the Lions Bowl on four different occasions and came home empty, but this year belonged to the Tigers.

"I couldn’t be more proud for the players," said Coach Evans. "They are great kids and have done everything we’ve asked of them all season. The coaching staff, the school administration, and fans have given the team great support all year long. We had a good crowd make the trip. "All the coaches had us well prepared," continued Evans. "It had been a month since we played our last game, so we were not sure how the kids would respond. We played hard and wanted it more than Franklin County.   "When Blake Sharp intercepted the pass in the third quarter, it took the wind out of their sails."

The Tigers opened tough with Jeremy Dollar returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown on an 80-yard romp. The two-point conversion failed, and the Tigers were up 6-0. Unfortunately, Dollar took a hit late in the fourth quarter, sending him to the hospital with a concussion. He was released that night. With little recollection of the game, reviewing the game film was like watching a movie premier for Dollar.

"I’m ok," Jeremy stated the following day. "I still have a headache and pretty sensitive to noise but hate I missed the celebration after the game."  Dollar generated 64 yards in 11 carries in addition to the kick off return.

The next score for the Tigers came with 3:02 remaining in the first quarter as Britton Twyman carried it in from the nine-yard line. The two-point conversion by Dollar was good, and the Tigers were up 14-0.  FJHS added another score in the second quarter as Tiger quarterback Wil Golden hit Twyman with 4:42 remaining in the first half. The two-point conversion failed, and City was up 20-0.

The only score of the night for the Rebels came with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter on a 9-yard run by Giordani Taylor. The two-point attempt was no good, and the Tigers took a 20-6 lead into the intermission.

It would be the fourth quarter before FJHS added their final score as Twyman took it in from the 1-yard line. Wil Golden took the conversion in on the keeper, and the Tigers were up 28-6.  Britton Twyman finished the night with 70 yards in 17 carries and had the 47-yard touchdown completion.

The Tigers were forced to punt only one time during the game. Turnovers affected the Rebels, heavily losing 3 of 5 fumbles with one interception, while the Tigers lost one fumble with no interceptions.  The Tigers had 224 yards of offense in addition to Dollar’s 80-yard return, while the Rebels totaled 112 yards.

FJHS finishes the season with a 7-1 record but will feel the pains of ninth graders moving on to the high school going into the 2006 season.