An unknown Navy SEAL is credited with the insight that in times of pressure, a person does not rise to the occasion, they sink to the level of their preparation. Unlike the cinematic trope of the inspired hero, in real life one’s performance is determined by the quantity and quality of the effort one puts into preparing for the event. In football, every minute of game play is backed up by hours of strength training, conditioning, and practice. \r\n
\r\n\tThe Senators would draw on every minute they put in this offseason to outlast their county rival Eastern Musketeers 27-21 to start the season 1-0.\r\n
\r\n“We tell the kids that every win is a good one,” said head coach Jeremy Lowery. “As long as we have one more point than our opponent when the clock hits zero, we are going to celebrate. We have a lot of improvements to make to get where we want to be, but I am proud of the physical and mental toughness we displayed tonight.”\r\n
\r\nThe game would start with the teams trading possessions, before junior running back Hudson Cress would score the first touchdown of the season on a one yard run. The extra point would prove good from sophomore kicker Gavin Hunt to give the Senators a 7-0 advantage.\r\n
\r\nThe Musketeers would answer on their next possession with a 6 yard touchdown run. After an unsuccessful 2 point try, the Senators would hold a one point lead.\r\n
\r\nThe next Senator possession would see Cress break several tackles enroute to a big run down the sidelines to set up the Senators in the red zone. Senior quatrterback Kenton Chase would find fellow senior receiver Greyson McCoy in the corner of the end zone on a 15-yard pass play. Chase would then find junior running back Tyler Miller leaking to the flat for the 2 point conversion to give the Senators a 15-6 advantage.\r\n
\r\nAfter the Musketeers notched their second score of the evening, the Senators would enter their hurry up mode and drive the ball to the Musketeer 20. On the last play of the half, Chase would throw his second touchdown to senior receiver Jaxson Cambron streaking behind the Musketeer defense.\r\n
\r\nThe second half would see the teams trade possessions again, before Chase would call his own number, barrelling into the end zone from 10 yards out to give the Senators a 27-13 advantage. \r\n
\r\nThe Musketeers would show some fight, scoring in the 4th quarter to close the gap to 27-21. The game would end with the Senators forcing a turnover on downs and take a knee to seal the opening night victory.\r\n
\r\nThe Senators are in action again next Friday at Clarksville.
\r\n