Tuesday, October 27, 2009
(Last modified: 2009-10-27 20:20:18)
 
Author: Rob Fox
Source: News-Herald

On the final gameday of the regular season, the Greenback Youth Football Organization (GYFO) visited Riceville and dropped all four decisions in a frustrating effort to improve their playoff opportunities.

Riceville Crickets 40,
Greenback Crickets 0
The Cherokee Cricket team (0-10) completed a winless regular season, losing decisively to the division-leading Wildcats (10-0). A pair of Greenback turnovers in the first half contributed to a 28-0 halftime deficit, where Riceville scored on every possession.
The Wildcats scored again to open the third quarter, before Greenback's Holden Willis broke loose for a 50-yard gain. But another turnover ended the opportunity. Riceville capitalized, driving for two more scores before the game ended by rule in the third quarter.
The Crickets play Midway at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Central's field.

Riceville Hoppers 8,
Greenback Hoppers 0
The Greenback Hoppers (8-2) picked up their second loss of the season, dropping a close contest to the division leading Riceville squad (10-0). Strong defenses on both sides kept the play in the middle of the field until third quarter when Riceville's only pass of the game turned into a 15-yard touchdown. With the PAT, the game's scoring was complete.
The second-seeded Greenback squad managed only 22 yards rushing, their lowest production all year.
Greenback's Hopper team finished as a two seed and gets a bye in the first round.

Riceville Cutters 34,
Greenback Cutters 0
A successful onside kick encouraged the Greenback faithful to open the day's third game, but like the previous matchup, a turnover ended in a Riceville touchdown and a 6-0 score.
Turnovers were the order of the day for the Cherokees (2-8), as Greenback committed four more giveaways, each resulting in a Wildcat touchdown. By halftime, the Cherokees trailed 34-0.
The Greenback offense drove to the goal line in the third quarter but was unable to get on the scoreboard before turning the ball over on downs. By rule, the game ended at the end of the third quarter.
The Cutters play Sweetwater on Nov. 7 at Vonore.

Riceville Juniors 14,
Greenback Cutters 0
The Cherokee Junior team (5-5), already assured a fifth seed in the playoffs, could not improve upon their regular season record, turning in their first shut-out loss of the season.
Greenback fell behind 14-0 by halftime, giving up two big plays to the Wildcats (7-3), who converted those plays into touchdowns. Otherwise, the Cherokees held tough defensively, shutting down Riceville through the second half.
It was the struggling Greenback offense that sealed the fate for the Cherokees.
Facing first and goal from the seven yard line, the Cherokees settled for a turnover on downs at the one yard line, unable to punch in the score from the two.
The Cherokee Junior team faces a rematch with the fourth seeded Riceville Wildcats at 3 p.m. on Riceville's field.  

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