Mother Nature served up unseasonably cool temperatures to usher in the 2013 High School Football season. The Chattooga Indians and the Trion Bulldogs are meeting for the fifth time in a preseason football scrimmage, which many have dubbed the "Battle of Chattooga County." So far, this year's game has gone to the Dawgs. Trion has looks to be picking up where they left off last year with a strong offensive and defensive performance. Chattooga has had opportunities in the game, but they have been thwarted by the turnover bug, giving the ball up to Trion four times in the first half.

Trion kicked off to Chattooga to start the action. Chattooga when 3 and out and had to punt the ball away to Trion. Trion marched the ball down the field and scored on a one yard touchdown plunge by Latham. The PAT was good, giving Trion a 7-0 advantage.

On the next Chattooga drive, Nigel Dickerson dropped back on a third and six and was picked off my Malik Martin, who raced into the end zone for another Trion touchdown. After the PAT, Trion held a 14-0 lead.

Chattooga would be stymied again and would have to punt to Trion. Another methodical drive by Trion was capped off by a touchdown by Howell. The PAT was no good, giving Trion a 20-0 lead over the Indians.

Trion was not finished in the first half. They would score again on a pass hauled in by Issac Thomas to stretch the advantage to 27-0 for the Bulldogs.

 With time running out in the first half, Chattooga heaved a long pass down field, but the pass sailed over the intended receiver and into the arms of the Trion Bulldog's defender. The interception was the fourth turnover on the night for the Indians.

The third quarter saw Chattooga get on the board with a 66 yard touchdown run from Tevin Shropshire. The PAT was good and the score cut Trion's lead to 20, with the score 27-7. 

The fourth quarter saw massive substitutions for both teams. Chattooga tried to convert a fourth down early in the fourth quarter, but fumbled the ball to Trion. Trion would score from 21 yards out on a run by John Harrison to take the Trion lead to 34-7.

Chattooga would mount another drive with around 5 minutes remaining. Another fumble was retained by the Indians to keep the drive alive. On the next play, the Indians would make a long run down inside Trion territory. A facemask penalty tacked on 5 yards, leaving the Indians knocking on the door. A fumbled snap and a holding penalty would back up the Indians out of the red zone. On second down, a throw to the flat by the Indians looked like a sure score when a holding call erased the touchdown. The next play took the Indians inside the 10 yard line with third and goal to go. The third down play was stuffed at the line, bringing up a fourth and goal for the Indians. On fourth and goal the Indians ran a bootleg with Foster into the corner for another Indian score. The Indians would go for two and the play would be whistled dead, but a Trion player would hit the quarterback, leading to a penalty. The two point conversion would be good leading to a score of 34-15.

 Trion would get the ball back and fumble on their second play of the drive. Chattooga would recover and try to score again before the final gun. The Trion defense stiffened and forced the Indians to try to convert another fourth down. The conversion was unsuccessful and the ball went back to Trion. The Bulldogs would run out the clock, putting a cap on the scrimmage with a final score of 34-15 in the favor of Trion.

Both teams played a tough, but clean game. Each team will have a week to make the final preparations for the upcoming season. Chattooga will start their 2013 campaign on the road at East Hall August 30. That game will be the web game  and can be heard by listening online here at www.chattoogainfo.com. Trion will host Armuchee at Sam R. McCain stadium on August 30. That game can be heard on the air at AM 1180 on your radio dial. You can also listen live from anywhere online at www.chattoogainfo.com 

We would like to thank all of our sponsors that made our coverage possible. We would also like to thank all the young men and women from each football team, cheerleading squads, bands, and all the coaches and fans that make it possible to experience the fun and excitement that is high school football here in Chattooga County.