Football: East-20 Volunteer-6

Sullivan East opened up it's 2008 campaign with an impressive show on defense beating the Volunteer Falcons 20-6. The Patriots held the Falcons to negative rushing yardage and under 100 yds total offense and used that defense to set up scores for themselves.

On Volunteer's first possesion, Justin Gross intercepted a tipped pass around midfield and returned it down to the Falcon's 18 yard line. East QB Tyler Gaby made sure that the Patriots would capitalize on the field position and hit Zane Campbell with a 10 yard pass in the end zone to put East up 6-0. Kole Bishop added the PAT to make it 7-0.

Volunteer's lone touchdown would take up time at the end of the first and start of the second quarters with the big play being a 4th down conversion on a 30 yard pass play. That kept their drive alive and would eventually score on a 4th and goal at the 1 yard line. Their PAT went wide left and East kept their lead at 7-6.

A lateral pass went awry late in the first half gave East their next opportunity. Patriot defensive end Jeremy James scooped up the loose ball on the Falcon 8 yard line and Gaby put the ball in the end zone two plays later. The extra point was blocked, giving the Patriots a 13-6 lead that held going into halftime.

Volunteer was still in the game, trailing by a touchdown, but the East defensive answered time and time again, stopping the Falcons from putting up any type of serious threat. The final nail was hammered in late in the fourth quarter when the Patriots punted and the Falcon return man fumbled the fair catch and East recovered deep in Falcon territory. Gaby and running backs Caleb Looney and Chris Rosenbalm ran for both yardage and time as Looney hit paydirt with a minute and half left in the game putting the Patriots up 19-6. Bishop hit the PAT giving East that 20-6 cushion. Volunteer took the kickoff and hit for a couple of completions but time ran out on the Falcons.

Joey Owens, Corbett Bawgus, James, and Looney were leading tacklers for the Patriots. Offensively, Chase Depew had a big night receiving hauling in 5 catches for over 70 yards.

Here is a link to pics of the action:  http://www.tricitiessports.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=212&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=28235&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1131&hn=tricitiessports&he=.com

East travels up Weaver Pike to Tennessee High for it's Mountain Lakes Conference opener with the Vikings. Game time is 7:30. Come out and support your Patriots!!