Photo by SPARKY NEWSOME DEON JACKSON TURNS THE CORNER He scored three of the Tigrs' seven touchdowns Friday night. Last Friday, the Washington-Wilkes Tigers traveled to Sparta to take on the Hancock Central Bulldogs. The Tigers played hard the whole game and won with a final score of 49-16. The Washington first string gave up no points; the Bulldogs' first string scored its two touchdowns on the Tiger JV players who put up valiant effort. After winning the coin toss, the Tigers had to start the game on defense once again.

John Gowen started off the game with a kick to the Bulldog 21-yard line that was returned nine-yards out to the 30. On their first play of the game, Hancock fumbled the ball over to Washington. Two runs by Sophomore Eric Scott and the Washington-Wilkes offense already had its first first down of the game. Two more runs by Scott later and the Tigers had their first touchdown of the game also. Scott ran the ball in for the Washington two-point-conversion to give the Tigers an early lead of 8-0 over the Bulldogs.

Hancock returned the ensuing kickoff one yard out to the Bulldogs' own 28-yard line. The Bulldog offense was not able to get a drive going, and went three-and-out. Hancock Central punted the ball 43-yards to the Washington 24-yard line; no return was offered. On the first play of the next possession Scott ran the ball 76-yards for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Tom Saggus made the extra point advancing the score to 15-0 with the Tigers on top.

On the kickoff, Gowen kicked the ball to the Hancock 21-yard line which was returned to the 37. The Bulldog offense went three-and-out for the second drive in a row. The ball was punted to the Washington- Wilkes 39-yard line.

On the third play of the possession, Deon Jackson ran the ball six yards for a Tiger first down. After a holding call and two runs by Deandre Stewart the Washington offense gained another first down. Five plays later Jackson ran the ball in for W-W's third rushing touchdown of the game. Saggus again made the extra point, making the score 22-0 in favor of the Tigers.

The ball was kicked to the 24-yard line and was returned 12 yards to the Hancock Central 36-yard line. On the second play of the possession, Stewart intercepted the Bulldog pass and ran the ball back 50-yards for a touchdown. John Gowen made the extra-point adding to the Washington lead to make the score 29-0.

Desmond Jackson kicked the ball off for the Tigers down to the Hancock 21-yard line from where it was fumbled and then recovered by the Bulldogs on their own 25-yard line. On the second play of the drive, the Hancock Central offense gained its first and only first down of the half. Three plays later they were forced to punt from their 33-yard line. The ball was punted 52-yards to the Washington-Wilkes 15-yard line.

On first down, Ty McGill ran the ball for a first down, and on the next play Eric Scott ran the ball 19-yards for another first down. After three more first downs, Drew Wilson finally punched the ball through into the end zone. Gowen made the extra-point making the score 36-0, Tigers in the lead.

On the first play of the Bulldogs' next drive, Drew Wilson knocked the ball loose with a crushing hit on the quarterback, then recovered the fumble on the four yard line. Deon Jackson scored on the next play, but the extra point was missed.

Hancock returned the kick 20-yards out to their 31-yard line. On the third play of the possession, Stewart and Anthony Smith drilled the Bulldog quarterback as he threw, allowing Scott to intercept. A couple of plays later, Deon Jackson ran the ball for 25-yards for his third rushing touchdown of the game. Thomas Duggan made the extra point which made the score at the end of the half 49-0 with the Tigers on top.

To start off the second half, Justin Guin returned the kick 15-yards for Washington-Wilkes, out to their 39- yard line. With the GHSA mandated running-clock "mercy rule" in play, the Washington JV offense was able to gain one first down before turning the ball over on downs.

After gaining two first downs, the Bulldogs threw another interception, this time to Akeimos Coleman after a vicious hit on the quarterback by Desmond Jackson. The Tigers were again held short on fourth down, turning the ball over to Hancock Central.

Two first downs later, the Hancock quarterback completed back-to-back passes with the latter for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was made, shortening the Washington lead to 49-8.

Dexter Norman returned the kick 26 yards for the Tigers. On fourth down, the ball was snapped over the punter's head and recovered by Hancock on the Washington oneyard line. Two plays later the ball was run in for the Bulldogs' second touchdown of the game. The gofor two was again made, making the score 49-16 with the Tigers in the lead. Brandon Dill returned the Hancock kick 10-yards, and the rest of the time on the clock ran out before Washington could run a play. The final score of the game was 49- 16 with W-W picking up the win.

The Tiger offense put up an impressive 329 yards led by Eric Scott with 191 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. The Tiger offensive line had another dominating performance, leading to the explosive numbers. The Washington Varsity defense held the Bulldogs to -11 yards and scored a defensive touchdown in the first half, led by leading tackler Drew Wilson with six tackles, three assists, two sacks, a caused fumble, and a recovered fumble. Anthony Smith chipped in four tackles, three assists, two tackles for loss, one sack, and four hurries.

Next week, on Friday October 17, 2008, the Washington-Wilkes Tigers will take on the Lincoln County Red Devils. They stand at 5-1, run a multiple spread offense and a fifty defense. Kickoff for the annual 378 War will be at 7:30 in Lincolnton. Come out to support the Tigers in their game against the Red Devils.