The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net

By RICHARD HARRIS (From the Sept. 6, 2006 issue)
   A historic football game took place in Eagle Stadium last Friday, Sept. 1, as Marion County High School played its first game in the post Tri-County High era. The game was even more historic for the visitors, however, as Chattahoochee County High played its first-ever high school football game.
   The bleachers on both sides of the field were packed with fans cheering for their teams, as the Eagles of Marion County defeated Chattahoochee’s Panthers by a score of 20-13 in an exciting and competitive contest.
   The Eagles’ defense bent, but refused to break, coming up with a number of huge plays in key moments of the game. They held the Panthers on all three of their fourth down attempts and picked off three passes, including one in the endzone near the end of the game.
   “We set the tone early and then hung on for the win,” said MCHS Head Coach Calvin Aldridge. “Chattahoochee has a talented group of kids – some kids who can really move – and they will win some games.”
   Both teams managed to move the ball down the field, with the Eagles coming out on top in the category of total yards, 322 to 246.
   Marion County had a balanced ground game, with three players rushing for more than 50 yards. They totaled 270 yards on the ground. Mike Jones was the leading rusher with 100 yards on 15 carries. He was followed by Kendrick Reeves (95 yards on 17 carries, 2 TD’s), Larico Dixon (55 yards on 9 carries), and Tramayne Wilson (10 yards on 6 carries, 1 TD).
   In the air, Tramayne Wilson completed only 3-of-11 passes for 52 yards, but he threw the ball better than the stats indicate, as several balls were dropped.
   Chattahoochee County rushed for 163 yards (individual stats not available at deadline), while quarterback Caleb Horvath completed 7-of-16 passes for 83 yards (three interceptions).
   Defensively, several players soared for the Eagles, but none perhaps as much as junior linebacker Larico Dixon. Not only did he lead the team with eight tackles and intercept a pass, but also two of his tackles were “huge,” as they were for losses on fourth down and gave the Eagles possession of the ball.
   Other defenders making big plays included sophomore defensive back Rafford Thomas, who had two interceptions, including one in the endzone with just over four minutes left in the game to end a Chattahoochee County drive that could have changed the outcome of the game.
   Randall Alexander also picked off a pass, while Robert McKenzie recovered a fumble.
   The Eagles made the first three scores of the game to take a big 20-0 lead, but the Panthers battled back in the third quarter with a kickoff returned for a touchdown and then added another score before the end of the quarter to draw to within seven points.
   The teams battled hard in the final period, with neither managing to score, as the big interception ended a good Chattahoochee County drive near the end of the game.
   “Our kids played hard and our first outing of the season was a good one,” said MCHS Coach Aldridge. “As long as we get that kind of effort out of our players, we’ll be okay. … I was also pleased with the crowd and we hope the public will continue to come out and give us their support.”
   Up next for Marion County is another home game this Friday, Sept. 8 against the Central-Talbotton Hawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Hawks, who reportedly have an improved team for 2006, lost a hard-fought game to Calhoun County (20-7) last Friday. (Note: the Central-Talbotton game was originally scheduled as an away game, but the location has been changed to MCHS.)
   Chattahoochee County will shoot for its first victory this Friday, Sept. 8 when the Panthers hit the road to compete against Temple High School. Temple won its season opener by a score of 49-15 over Hillgrove. Last season Temple defeated Tri-County High by a score of 28-13 near the end of the season.
   The following Friday, Sept. 15, Marion County will host Heard County, while Chattahoochee will play at Glascock County.