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Patton falls at Burns

Kim Hughes | The News Herald

Patton High football player Brandon Bethel, No. 21, avoids a tackle on Thursday night.

Jason Baker

sports@morganton.com

Published: October 24, 2009

Lawndale - With the game being moved up a day Patton High's varsity football team stood toe-to toe with Burns High on the Bulldogs stomping grounds.
Burns passing attack led by quarterback Brandon Littlejohn sealed the Panthers fate in a 34-20 Burns victory.
"We battled for four quarters. It was one of those games where the effort was shown more than what the score shows," Patton head coach JK Adkins said.
With the Bulldogs receiving the opening kickoff, Burns got its first drive inside Patton territory with the running power of Darius Ramsey. The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs.
The Panthers eventually took advantage after both teams traded punts.
Johnny Bristol ended a three-play drive, which started in Burns territory, with a 39-yard run to put Patton on top early. Burns blocked the extra point attempt by Kevin Stone to keep Patton's lead at 6-0.
On Burns' next drive it looked as if Ramsey was going to score a rushing touchdown on the first play, but Zach Cole made the touchdown-saving tackle. Then Burns' passing attack got going with Littlejohn throwing a 10-yard strike to Adam Mellon, and the extra point by Andrew Toney put Burns ahead 7-6.
The rushing attack from Ramsey and the passing attack from Littlejohn were at it again going 16-plays into Patton territory. Penalties and a strong Patton defense was able to stop Burns and forced a missed field goal.
Patton looked to take advantage again before halftime, and they did just that to earn the lead back.
Brandon Bethel finished a four-play drive with a 44-yard run, to put Patton back on top 12-7 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt.
The Bulldogs weren't going to end the first half without a statement and they made a big one on the Patton defense. Littlejohn, after throwing two straight incomplete passes, completed a touchdownpass to Jonah Brooks for 86 yards. The extra point put Burns up at halftime 14-12.
In the second half, Littlejohn found a new target for the passing attack. Joe Ross, caught a 24-yard pass in the third and a 23-yard pass in the fourth, to extend Burns' lead to 28-12.
Patton did manage a nine-play scoring drive, ending on a 39-yard run by Bethel, and a two-point conversion run by Bethel put the Panthers only down by eight, 28-20.
After a failed onside-kick attempt, Littlejohn threw Ross' third touchdown reception from 48 yards for the final score of the night.
On the last two drives for Patton, backup quarterback Hatchel Linens replaced Trevor Buchanan.
Patton (4-6, 1-4 SMAC) has a bye next week while preparing for the season finale. The Panthers host Freedom High (2-6, 0-3 SMAC) on Nov. 6.