photo by Kenneth Boone

Big hits: Dadeville tacklers converge to bring down a Horseshoe Bend ballcarrier during the Tigers’ 48-19 win over the Generals.

Dadeville thumps HBHS in New Site

Battle Down the River goes to Tigers

By Dusty Harper (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Dadeville Tigers scored 15 points in a 1-minute, 12-second-span in the first quarter to seize control of the Battle Down the River and coast to a 48-19 victory over Horseshoe Bend Thursday in New Site.

With the score 7-7 late in the first quarter, HBHS (5-5) snapped it over the punter’s head through the end zone for a safety to make it 9-7. After the Generals kicked off to the Tigers, Clint Westbrook burst 55 yards for a score on Dadeville’s second play of the drive.

On HBHS’ second play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Josh Price was intercepted by Kieran Sturdivant, who raced 35 yards to the goal line to finish the outbreak and push the lead to 22-7 with 22 seconds left in the opening quarter.

“Coming back and taking control after (HBHS) tied it up was big for us,” said Dadeville head coach Richard White, whose team finished the regular season 9-1. “We were able to string together a few plays and score quick. That’s kind of what we’ve been doing the whole year.”

Westbrook had another monster night for Dadeville, He gained 99 yards on the ground and scored 4 touchdowns, bringing his total to 21 total scores on the season.

Westbrook scored on a 5-yard run with 7:13 to go in the first quarter to cap an 11-play, 50-yard drive to begin the game.

But, HBHS quickly answered. Price hit Kendall Thomas on a short screen pass, and Thomas broke free for a 60-yard gain on the Generals’ second play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Price ran in for six, and Sawyer Milam’s extra point tied the game at 7 with 4:59 left in the first period.

However, the Generals were unable to get another first down until late in the second quarter, thanks to a swarming Tiger defense. HBHS ran 13 times in the first half for 18 yards. Dadeville had 13 rushes for 104 yards in the first two quarters.

“Holding their rushing attack

was a key for us,” White said. “We’re still missing too many tackles. We probably hold them to negative rushing yardage in the first half if we tackle better.

“It was a good win for us,” White said. “We’re doing what we need to do and playing pretty well right now.”

HBHS’ Brandon Thomas, Tallapoosa County’s leading rusher entering the game, was held to 33 yards on 10 attempts.

Toward the end of the second quarter, after HBHS unsuccessfully tried a fake punt, Dadeville’s Kyle Caldwell found a wide open Deshawn Redden for a 44-yard touchdown, and the Tigers took a 28-7 lead into the locker room.

But, the Generals started hot in the second quarter. Price hit Clay Phillips for a 31-yard gain to put HBHS into Dadeville territory, and after completing three more passes, Price tossed a 10-yard TD pass to Corey Battle. With 7:13 left in the third, it was 28-13 Dadeville.

Again, the Tigers quickly erased any chance of a momentum swing. Facing a third-and-12 from deep in his own territory, Caldwell passed to Chris Waldrep for a crucial 17-yard pass that moved the chains.

After Caldwell connected on three straight passes for 48 yards, Westbrook waltzed into the end zone from 6 yards away with 3:42 to play in the third, and the Tigers were on top 35-13 after Caldwell’s PAT.

Dadeville then forced a three-and-out, and delivered a knockout blow soon after.

Caldwell found Sturdivant for a 36-yard gain on third-and-15, and three plays later, he hooked up with Redden again for an 18-yard touchdown.

Westbrook would score once more in the fourth quarter, and HBHS added six more points with 1:35 left in the game on a 13-yard pass from Price to Battle.

Caldwell finished with 228 yards on the night after completing 14 of 26 passes. Price was 19-for-37 for 231 yards in his final game as a General.

For a full box score, see The Outlook’s Sports Extra on Saturday

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