Many expected Friday night’s Homecoming football game between Avery and Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) to be a one-sided affair. Those expectations were met quickly and with emphasis as the Vikings bombarded the Gryphons for 48 first-half points en route to a 58-20 Avery victory at a clear and cool MacDonald Stadium Friday, October 6.
Avery forced TJCA to a three-and-out to open the game, and used the passing game to put the first points on the scoreboard. Viking quarterback Dustin Childress, getting his second start for the injured starter Alex Villanueva, went to the air early and often in the first half. Childress found running back Taylor Potter on a screen pass on the team’s second offensive play, and Potter raced 29 yards to give Avery the early 7-0 lead.
The Viking defense forced another three-and-out deep in TJCA territory and appeared set for another fast score, but a Childress pass was intercepted by Gryphon defensive back Michael Gullett, who ran the interception back 71 yards before Kyle Greene made a touchdown-saving tackle at the Avery 5-yard line.
Avery forced TJCA to a three-and-out to open the game, and used the passing game to put the first points on the scoreboard. Viking quarterback Dustin Childress, getting his second start for the injured starter Alex Villanueva, went to the air early and often in the first half. Childress found running back Taylor Potter on a screen pass on the team’s second offensive play, and Potter raced 29 yards to give Avery the early 7-0 lead.
The Viking defense forced another three-and-out deep in TJCA territory and appeared set for another fast score, but a Childress pass was intercepted by Gryphon defensive back Michael Gullett, who ran the interception back 71 yards before Kyle Greene made a touchdown-saving tackle at the Avery 5-yard line.
Thomas Jefferson capitalized on the turnover as Will Beam scored on a four-yard run. The extra point kick was no good, but TJCA had cut Avery’s lead to 7-6.
From that point until halftime, the contest was all Avery as the Big Red scored touchdowns on each of its next six possessions while holding TJCA scoreless and forcing a pair of turnovers.
Andy Gonzalez caught a pair of touchdown passes in the half from Childress, while Taylor Potter scored touchdowns on carries of 42 and 4 yards, respectively, and caught a 61 yard touchdown pass. Kody Hughes also got into the act when he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Childress in the final two minutes of the half to put Avery in front 48-6 at halftime.
The Vikings amassed as much offense in a single half of play as they do for many four-quarter contests. Avery ran the ball only nine times in the half, but gained 118 yards on those carries. Dustin Childress showed that he was getting comfortable in the pass pocket, as he was 15 of 26 passing in the half for 261 yards and five touchdowns. Avery held the Gryphons to only 103 total yards for the half.
At intermission, Avery High School held Homecoming festivities at midfield, where Melinda Eggers was crowned the Avery Homecoming Queen and Noah Hughes was crowned as Homecoming King.
Avery picked up where it left off as the third quarter began. The Vikings received the second half kickoff and drove the football 51 yards over seven plays. The drive culminated with a five-yard touchdown run from Nathaniel Buchanan to give Avery a 55-6 advantage.
For the remainder of the contest, the Viking coaching staff took the opportunity to play a number of the junior varsity players who were dressed for the contest. Avery did not play a junior varsity game earlier in the week because Thomas Jefferson did not have enough players to field a JV club, so the lopsided score afforded JV players such as quarterback Stetson Stafford, running backs Chase Buchanan and Bryce Pittman and several others the chance to show their skills on the Friday night stage.
Thomas Jefferson managed to score a pair of second-half touchdowns against the Viking reserves who were on the field. Late in the contest, Avery kicker Dustin Clark connected on a 24-yard field goal to close the Viking scoring total.
Avery ended the game with 435 yards of total offense and gave up only 187 yards to the Gryphons. The Vikings did commit eight penalties for close to 100 yards, an area the team is sure to look at improving as it heads down a crucial portion of the Western Highlands Conference schedule.
Viking senior running back Taylor Potter had a Homecoming to remember, as he amassed 275 all-purposes yards (46 yards rushing, 152 receiving, 71 kickoff return and six punt return yards) and scored four touchdowns.
With the win, the Big Red improved to 5-1 overall and evened its conference record at 1-1. The Vikings host Hendersonville this Friday night, October 8 in a key conference game between class 1A foes.
From that point until halftime, the contest was all Avery as the Big Red scored touchdowns on each of its next six possessions while holding TJCA scoreless and forcing a pair of turnovers.
Andy Gonzalez caught a pair of touchdown passes in the half from Childress, while Taylor Potter scored touchdowns on carries of 42 and 4 yards, respectively, and caught a 61 yard touchdown pass. Kody Hughes also got into the act when he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Childress in the final two minutes of the half to put Avery in front 48-6 at halftime.
The Vikings amassed as much offense in a single half of play as they do for many four-quarter contests. Avery ran the ball only nine times in the half, but gained 118 yards on those carries. Dustin Childress showed that he was getting comfortable in the pass pocket, as he was 15 of 26 passing in the half for 261 yards and five touchdowns. Avery held the Gryphons to only 103 total yards for the half.
At intermission, Avery High School held Homecoming festivities at midfield, where Melinda Eggers was crowned the Avery Homecoming Queen and Noah Hughes was crowned as Homecoming King.
Avery picked up where it left off as the third quarter began. The Vikings received the second half kickoff and drove the football 51 yards over seven plays. The drive culminated with a five-yard touchdown run from Nathaniel Buchanan to give Avery a 55-6 advantage.
For the remainder of the contest, the Viking coaching staff took the opportunity to play a number of the junior varsity players who were dressed for the contest. Avery did not play a junior varsity game earlier in the week because Thomas Jefferson did not have enough players to field a JV club, so the lopsided score afforded JV players such as quarterback Stetson Stafford, running backs Chase Buchanan and Bryce Pittman and several others the chance to show their skills on the Friday night stage.
Thomas Jefferson managed to score a pair of second-half touchdowns against the Viking reserves who were on the field. Late in the contest, Avery kicker Dustin Clark connected on a 24-yard field goal to close the Viking scoring total.
Avery ended the game with 435 yards of total offense and gave up only 187 yards to the Gryphons. The Vikings did commit eight penalties for close to 100 yards, an area the team is sure to look at improving as it heads down a crucial portion of the Western Highlands Conference schedule.
Viking senior running back Taylor Potter had a Homecoming to remember, as he amassed 275 all-purposes yards (46 yards rushing, 152 receiving, 71 kickoff return and six punt return yards) and scored four touchdowns.
With the win, the Big Red improved to 5-1 overall and evened its conference record at 1-1. The Vikings host Hendersonville this Friday night, October 8 in a key conference game between class 1A foes.
