Hound Dogs Edge Thrashers; Stay in Playoff Hunt

 

[This is a fictional sports article.  Game results and stats were generated by Pro Strategy Football software.]

Atlanta, Georgia - David Coutee's 46-yard field goal as time expired saved the Tennessee Hound Dogs with a 20-17 win to stay in the playoff race.

"It wasn't pretty, but Davey came through for us and bailed us out," said Head Coach Colton Preston.  "We should have never been in position where we needed that kick to win the game, but he's been the one constant for us lately."

The narrow win keeps Tennessee (8-3) in pace with North Carolina (9-2) for a playoff spot.  The two teams will meet in Memphis next week with the Hound Dogs needing to win by 25 points to overtake the Copperheads to get into the playoffs.  North Carolina won the previous meeting 33-9 on October 16.

In Monday's game against the lowly Georgia Thrashers (1-10), the Hound Dogs got off to a bad start when Georgia's Damian Davis returned the opening kickoff 89 yards to put the Thrashers up 7-0.  The teams traded field goals later as Georgia held a 10-3 lead.

The Thrashers once again struck when Georgia quarterback Steven Gould found Travis Hughes streaking down the middle of the field for a 59-yard touchdown pass.  Hughes bobbled the reception but pulled it in to stay in stride and race to the end zone to give his team a 17-3 lead at the halftime break.

"We had some words in the locker room," Preston said.  "We had to come out and play better.  I will admit I was frustrated, and we needed a spark."

Tennessee quarterback Rich Lewis heeded the call and led the Hound Dogs on a 10-play 75-yard drive to open the third quarter.  He was 5-of-6 passing on the drive and scrambled on a third-and-goal from the Georgia nine.  He rolled out to pass but with his protection breaking down he reversed his field and cut up the middle and bounced off three defenders to power his way into the end zone.   On their first drive of the second half, the Hound Dogs were right back in the game at 17-10.

"He got us going," said Offensive Coordinator Harvey Lee.  "He took it upon himself to be the leader we needed in this game.  He responded."

In the fourth quarter, Lewis again led the Hound Dogs down the field and hit Jonathan Byrd in the right flat as he navigated his way through the Georgia secondary on a 41-yard score which tied the game at 17-17.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Hound Dogs' defense forced a punt to give the ball back to Lewis with 1:48 to go.  Tennessee converted two fourth downs on the drive to get within range for Coutee at the Georgia 29.  Georgia called a timeout as Coutee lined up for the kick in an attempt to ice his try.

"Oh, that just makes him mad," Preston said of Coutee.  "He is more determined than ever to make you pay for that timeout."

Coutee did and left no doubt with his kick to give the Hound Dogs the win.

The Hound Dogs will now set their sights on their game against North Carolina next week in Memphis.  

Scoring Summary:
First Quarter

• GA - Damian Davis 89-yard kickoff return (Terry Ragnow kick)
• Georgia 7, Tennessee 0
• TN - David Coutee 39-yard field goal
• Georgia 7, Tennessee 3
• GA - Ragnow 41-yard field goal
• Georgia 10, Tennessee 3

Second Quarter

• GA - Travis Hughes 59-yard pass from Steven Gould (Ragnow kick)
• Georgia 17, Tennessee 3

Third Quarter

• TN - Richard Lewis 9-yard run (Coutee kick)
• Georgia 17, Tennessee 10

Fourth Quarter

• TN - Jonathan Byrd 41-yard pass from Lewis (Coutee kick)
• Georgia 17, Tennessee 17
• TN - Coutee 46-yard field goal
• Tennessee 20, Georgia 17

Southeast Division Standings:

1. Alabama Hammers (11-0)
2. North Carolina Copperheads (9-2)
3. Tennessee Hound Dogs (8-3)
4. Florida Tarpons (5-6)
5. South Carolina Skyhawks (3-7-1)
6. Georgia Thrashers (1-10)

Week 11 scores:

Tennessee 20, Georgia 17

North Carolina 48, South Carolina 7

Alabama 34, Florida 6