Jaron Tipton
Sports Reporter
DIERKS – Friday night
marked the annual “Battle
for the Archie Cothren
Cup,” as the Dierks Outlaws
welcomed the Mineral
Springs Hornets to town.
Emotions were high as the
Outlaws began their first
possession. Jake Green
marched the Outlaws down
the field with steady chunks
of yards from Trendin McKinney.
With nearly seven
minutes remaining in the
first quarter Green found
receiver Lane Woodruff for
a 22 yard touchdown reception
putting the Outlaws up
7-0 early with Woodruff’s
extra point being good.
The Hornets would come
out looking to answer. Running
backs Cameron Lacy
and Dashawn Compton
would pick up 2 first downs
but the Outlaw defense held
forcing a Hornet punt.
McKinney along side
sophomore running back
Brayden Kirby would then
come out with a strong running
game for the Outlaws’
second possession and
with 1:55 in the 1st quarter,
McKinney would score
from 5 yards out, Woodruff’s
extra point making it
a 14-0 game.
A quick 3 and out from
the Hornet offense resulted
in the Outlaws having great
field position to start the
second quarter.
10:53 remaining in the
half, Green found receiver
Tyler Kesterson on a deep,
32 yard touchdown pass,
and again on Woodruff’s
made extra point the Outlaws
led big 21-0.The Hornets came out
this possession with a great
sense of urgency. A steady
ground game of Lacy, Compton
and Ceaser drove the
Hornets down the field at a
rapid rate. With 7:36 left in
the first half Ceaser found
Colten Strode behind the
secondary for a 32-yard
touchdown pass. The extra
point was no good, and that
left the Outlaws still leading
21-6.
The Outlaw offense was
forced into a 3 and out by the
Hornet defense but was able
to pin the Hornets deep into
their own territory at the 8
yard line.
With 2:08 remaining in
the half, QB Ceaser pitches a
sweep to RB Compton, who
then finds Colten Strode on
a half back pass 92 yards for
the score. After the failed
2-point conversation, this
left it a nine point lead for
the Outlaws at the half 21-12.
The second half started
much like the first, 8:29 on
the clock, McKinney takes
in an 11 yard touchdown
run for the Outlaws. With a
good extra point the Outlaws
extended their lead 28-12.
However; the Hornets
would answer. 1:09 left in
the 3rd quarter, quarterback
Ceaser would scramble into
the end zone for a 20 yard
touchdown making it a 10
point game, 28-18.
The fourth quarter was
all Dierks.
A Green rushing touchdown
from 15 yards out, and
a pair of McKinney touchdowns
ended the game with
a final score of 48-18.
Jake Green finished the
night 7 of 18 passing for 112
yards and two touchdowns.
seven caries 34 yards and a
touchdown.
McKinney had 25 carries
for 197 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Both Lane Woodruff and
Tyler Kesterson finished the
night with receiving touchdowns.
Jed Morrow led the tackle
chart with 10 tackles, two
sacks and two forced fumbles.
Behind him is the Adams
twins, Caleb and Cale, with 8
tackles each.
Caleb Adams, Aaron Kesterson
and Tyler Kesterson
all finish with big interceptions.
Colten Strode had two
catches, 124 yards and two
touchdowns.
Dashawn Compton and
Ceaser both throw touchdown
passes, while Ceaser
rushed 12 times for 22 yards
and a touchdown.
The Outlaws retain the
Archie Cothren Cup for the
third straight year. They
host the Lafayette County
Cougars for Homecoming
next Friday night, while the
Hornets host the Murfreesboro
Rattlers.
