Hound Dogs Win Region Opener

 

[This is a fictional sports article]

Tampa, Florida - After two games scoring 81 points, the Hound Dogs had to gut out their first win of the season as they needed David Coutee's leg to connect on three field goals leading his team to a 16-6 win over Florida Tarpons in the Southeast Region opener for both teams.

"Dave's a good one," said Tennessee Head Coach Colton Preston.  "He stepped up today when other parts of our game were struggling today.  He's our rock when we need him."

The Tarpons took an early lead driving down the field leading to a short 21-yard field goal by Marshal Gray to go up 3-0.  David Coutee tied the game to conclude Tennessee's first drive as hit connected on a 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.  Coutee gave the Hound Dogs the lead before halftime when he knocked down a 44-yard field goal to go up 6-3.

The defenses for both teams dug in after the halftime break keeping the offenses boxed in without any threats in the third quarter.  In the final quarter, the Hound Dogs put together a sustained drive then Rich Lewis found Jonathan Byrd for a 32-yard score for the only touchdown in the game to extend the lead to 13-3.

Coutee was good on all three of his field goal attempts for the game.

Florida's Quarterback Ronald Woodyard had 321 yards passing in the game, but the yardage was mostly between the 20s as the Hound Dogs' defense shut down Florida when they got into the redzone.

"That was key for us," said Defensive Coordinator Mark Johnson.  "It is a win for our defense anytime we can keep the other team from scoring.  They did get a lot of yards on offense but zero touchdowns.  I'd saw we bent but we didn't break."

With the win, the Hound Dogs remain undefeated and tied atop the Southeast Region with the Alabama Hammers.  Next week Tennessee will play the South Carolina Skyhawks (1-1-1) in Memphis.

Scoring Recap:

First Quarter

FL - Marshal Gray 21-yard FG (FL 3, TN 0)

TN - David Coutee 36-yard FG (FL 3, TN 3)

Second Quarter

TN - Coutee 44-yard FG (TN 6, FL 3)

Third Quarter

No Scoring

Fourth Quarter

TN - Jonathan Byrd 32-yard pass from Richard Lewis (Coutee kick) (TN 13, FL 3)

TN - Coutee 30-yard FG (TN 16, FL 3)

FL - Gray 58-yard FG (TN 16, FL 6)

Top Dogs:

• David Coutee 3-3 Field Goals
• Linebacker Roberto Santiago - 8 solo tackles, 3 for loss.