Lake County played through a schedule this season that to most would have seemed like a challenge. The Falcons professionally walked through each of the teams one at a time undaunted.
Union City, Class 2-A Region 7, was the first challenge on August 23. Lake County beat the Golden Tornados 58 – 16. Normally a challenge, Lake County’s Larry Tubbs flew past this opponent.
Lake County traveled to Crockett County to play the Cavaliers next. This was a huge road game against Coach Ward and a big 4-A Region 7 school. The Falcons scored first and last in a game with a lead change or two. Tanner Snyder scored all four touchdowns for Lake County.
Dresden and Humboldt were the next on the schedule. Lake County traveled to Dresden and beat them 52 – 7 and then beat Humboldt at home, 40 – 12. Neither of these contests were close in their first Region 7-1A play. Lake County entered 4 – 0 territory.
Next was a visit from the Westview Chargers. This game was a shootout, but Lake County finally pulled away and won 72 – 50. What was supposed to be the game of the year was muffled because of 29 penalties. It was sloppy on both sides of the ball. Nonetheless, the Falcons took down a large Region 7 3-A school and a top quarterback in Ty Simpson.
The Falcons entered Region 7-1A play over the next four games. They beat Gleason 62 – 6, South Fulton 54 – 16, West Carroll 60 – 14, and Greenfield 56 – 0. Ending this run, the Falcons were at a whopping 9 – 0 on the season. The anticipation of a complete undefeated season began to stir the air around the county. The Falcons greased the parts and worked together to finish off opponents.
Ending the regular season, Lake County traveled to Region 7 – 4A Ripley at Tiny Knee Stadium. This fight was a challenge that the Falcons seemed to accept and embrace. They closed out the season by beating and shutting out Ripley, 32 – 0.
This was a perfect season for the Lake County Falcons that put them in charge of their future. They ended up hosting the first three rounds of the playoffs at home. They would not have to travel until the fourth round if everything worked out and they continued to win.
The Falcons hosted Booker T Washington in the first round. They would beat the Warriors 50 – 20. Next, they would face the MASE, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Mets. The Lake County defense shut the Mets down and easily won the game 56 – 0. Into the third round, the Falcons faced the War Eagles of West Carroll, but it would not be a contest. The mud bowl was won by Lake County 46 – 0.
This past week, the Falcons traveled to Huntingdon to face the Region 6 – 1A number one seed Mustangs. The most highly anticipated matchup for months had come to fruition. With a drizzling rain, the stands full on both sides, and people lined up completely around the stadium two and three deep in most places the game did not disappoint. Lake County was the victor over Huntingdon, 30 – 20.
At 14 – 0, Lake County will play in The Blue Cross Bowl in Cookeville this Friday against the Greenback Cherokees (Region 2 – 1A) for the State Championship for 1A. The Cherokees from Loudon County come into the game 12 – 2 and beat South Pittsburg last week 27 – 26 to reach the title game.
