Copper Basin shuts out Lookout Valley, moves to 6-0
Team FYN Sports October 4, 2020
The photos in this article are courtesy of Penny Montgomery
The Copper Basin Cougars (6-0, 3-0) travelled down to Chattanooga on Friday night to play a region matchup against the Lookout Valley Yellowjackets (2-5, 0-2).
Lookout Valley entered the game on a four game losing skid, falling to South Pittsburg, Brainerd, Coosa and Huntland in the weeks before.
Copper Basin was riding an undefeated high, as they had beaten every opponent they had faced, but they were also coming off of a couple weeks where they had not played a game because of COVID-19 protocols.
Things were a little sloppy for the Cougars in the opening quarter of the game, and you could tell they had been out of commission for a few weeks. They finally got things rolling though as they went into halftime with a 15-0 lead over the Jackets.
Starting Cougars Quarterback Bryson Grabowski was however injured in the first half of the game and did not return to action. It is hoped that he will return in the next week or two.
The Cougars Defense held strong the whole game. They pitched a shutout and Basin won 21-0.
The defense was led by Timmy Fair, who had 9.5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss in the game. Eli Patterson and Addison Hook both recovered a fumble for the Cougars, while Patterson tallied 3.5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss and Hook tacking on 4.5 tackles. Larry Dye and Joe Boggs were two more cornerstones for the defense, having 8 tackles and 8.5 tackles, respectfully.
The offense was a little quiet on Friday night, especially after Grabowski went out, but Sebastian Baliles kept them going, compiling 19 carries for 163 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Grabowski was 1/2 through the air for 38 yards and 1 touchdown while racking up 31 yards with his feet.
Joe Boggs came in for Grabowski, going 1/3 for 18 yards. Boggs also ran for 18 yards.
The Cougars are set to play at McMinn Central next week, where they will look to remain undefeated on the year.
The Cougars are currently ranked first in 1A region 3.
Copper Basin Remains Undefeated
Featured Stories September 14, 2020
Heading into Friday nights game on September 11th, the undefeated Copper Basin Cougars (4-0) were fired up to take on the also undefeated Tellico Plains Bears.
The Cougars are off to their best start to a football season in 10 years behind Bryson Grabowski’s stellar quarterback play.
The Tellico Plains Bears had not allowed a single point in their previous two games, beating McMinn Central 13-0 and Sequoyah 8-0 to start their season.
From the opening kickoff, it looked as if the Bears were going to give the Cougars a fit, returning the opening kickoff across the Cougars side of the field and then quickly punching it in for 6.
After shaking off the early blow, Bryson Grabowski threw a dime to Timothy Jabaley to get the Cougars on the board and tie it up at 7 all. Copper Basin was also able to recover an onside kick and immediately get the ball back.
Chance Rollins pancakes a Tellico Plains defensive lineman
Grabowski’s arm was on full display all night Friday, as he found Kaden Williams streaking down the sideline for a 55 yard touchdown.
The Basin defense would get then take the ball away from the Bears at the end of the first quarter, which set up another Bryson Grabowski touchdown pass, this time to AJ Miles. The third Grabowski touchdown pass of the night would put the Cougars in front 21-7 at the start of the second quarter.
It was all Grabowski for most of the game as you can tell, and with the next two Copper Basin drives he would find Dawson Worthy in the end zone for his fourth TD pass, and then find the endzone by himself on a quarterback keeper that put Basin ahead 35-7 heading into halftime.
Tellico Plains would not make any adjustments in the locker room, and in the second half they still had no answer for Grabowski and the Cougars offense, and also could not move the ball themselves against a tough Cougar Defense.
Grabowski was able to notch his fifth touchdown pass of the night in the 3rd quarter, finding Dawson Worthy again and putting the Cougs up 42-7.
Copper Basin would eventually win the game 56-14.
Bryson Grabowski was 9 for 12 with 5 passing touchdowns and 232 yards through the air, while also running the ball 6 times for 121 yards and a score, giving him 6 total touchdowns on the day.
Sebastian Baliles was also a force to be reckoned with on the ground, rushing for 132 yards and one TD.
Dawson Worthy was Grabowski’s favorite target last weekend, grabbing 3 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Jabaley, Williams and Miles also caught TD passes from Grabowski.
Joe Boggs was the heart of the Basin defense, collecting 6 1/2 tackles, 2 of which were for a loss. Timothy Fair also recorded 4 tackles and an interception in the blowout win.
The Cougars will play 0-3 Whitwell in their second conference game of the year on Friday, September 18th as they look to keep their undefeated season alive.