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Week Sixteen (Final Thoughts) by Ardent Cougar
Going back to the days of the Dublin-Pulaski rivalry, football has always meant a lot to the citizens of Pulaski County, especially since the 1979 arrival of Head Coach Joel Hicks. It might never have meant more, than in 2001. As the horrifying events of September 11 unfolded, and many things we took for granted were called into question, and perhaps the illusions of some things were shattered, we all had to ask ourselves: What is real? What can we depend on? That evening, I put up a poll in the Cougar Forum, asking opinions on what should be done regarding the upcoming home game against Christiansburg, our first Blue Ridge District game. Overwhelmingly, you voted (as did I) to play. When things like this happen, we seek things that we have faith in. Things that are pleasant. Things that take your mind of off worries, and just let you enjoy yourself. It is not surprising that, come the middle of June in 2002, the hospitals will probably be seeing more births than usual. In the creation of new life, we can take comfort in the fact that existence goes on. Cougar Football provided, as it always does, a quality "escape". The Cougar Record Book got another workout. We "escaped" all the way to Lynchburg, to the Championship Game. It could not have come at a better time. Thanks for another wonderful season, guys. It's sad to say goodbye to a Senior Class, that did so well the past two years. We will remember the plays they made, and wish them the best, whether or not their future involves organized football. There is one very special Senior, to whom I address the following: When I read the quotes in Dan Callahan's game article in the Southwest Times, it was incredible to me that someone who had done so much, could feel that he somehow disappointed our fans.
Senior Photo Gallery
Week Fifteen Review - Saturday, December 8 - Lafayette Rams (Division 4 State Championship): Full Story and Interviews (Cougar Youth: Champions of LIBERTY) "Have you ever seen a team so fast in all your life!?" This is what I heard one of our fans say, as halftime approached. It is said that speed kills. This explains part of what happened to the Cougars this past Saturday in Lynchburg, as the Rams of Lafayette defeated PC 41-28, surviving a strong 3rd Quarter Cougar rally. Lafayette lead 20-0 at the break, with QB/K Connor Hughes providing 6 points on a pair of field goals, one of them being a 49-yarder that tied his own state AA playoff record, which he had set the previous week against Liberty-Bealeton. PC did not get on track until very late in the 2nd Quarter, when a good drive ended in John Hedge's field goal attempt from 39 yards, which was just wide right. The Rams' speed hurt the Cougars, but a pair of first half turnovers (which led to 10 points for Lafayette) hurt worse. The Cougars came out of the lockerroom on fire. After receiving the second half kickoff, it took only one play for PC to get on the board. Josh Calfee broke it all the way from 87 yards out. The PAT was blocked, and it was 20-6. After stopping the Rams and getting the ball back on their own 14, it once again took only one play. This time, it was Jeremy Porter taking it the distance. Trailing only 20-13 now, and having scored with lightning speed, the Cougars and their fans were frenzied. Lafayette scored to make it 27-13, but Porter took the kickoff into Ram territory, and Calfee scored on the drive, making it 27-20. PC had the momentum, as the teams traded ends for the final 12 minutes. Unfortunately, the Cougars had problems all game in stopping a Ram offense that converted 3rd downs as if they were nothing. Lafayette scored once again, making it 33-20, the PAT being blocked. Still, with the Cougars scoring at a furious pace, and 11:35 left, it felt anything but hopeless. The first play after the kickoff all but ended PC hopes. Porter was hit in the backfield during a handoff, and lost the ball, for the Cougars' third turnover. The Rams recovered, and scored a few plays later. Lafayette was threatening to score again, but their only turnover of the day gave the Cougars a chance to get a quick score, and hope for a miracle. Porter almost scored on a 59 yard run, being knocked out of bounds inside the one. He did score a play later, and Alan Wheeling passed to Matt Roan for the conversion, making it 41-28. The Rams covered the onsides kick, and drove down to the 1-yard line, before kneeling and running out the clock. Calfee and Porter each ended up with a pair of scores, and over 160 yards rushing, Josh finishing his stellar career with a great performance. The
Cougars ended another record setting season with a 12-2 record. The
Rams finished with a 11-2 mark, but with the way they were playing in the
last half of the season, they might well have been the best team in the
whole state, all classifications considered.
Previous 2001 Articles: FTB
Week One
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