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Sports September 7, 2006
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Bears rip Aggies in 'Battle of Tombigbee'
By Ross Wood Special to

Demarcus Besteda for the Aggies attempts to make an over the head catch against Leroy's Courtney Kimbrough last Thursday night in Leroy's 41-6 win. The Aggies were unable to execute on given opportunities giving Leroy the road to victory in the annual "Battle of the Tombigbee." The Aggies will host Monroe County Friday night, while the Bears will be in Leroy hosting the Keith Bears. (SA photo by Bruce Hansen)
The South Alabamian

Football is a game of opportunities and the Leroy Bears took advantage of four Jackson Aggie miscues in the first half to win the annual Battle of the Tombigbee 41-6 Thursday night at Simpkins Stadium-Legion Field in Jackson.

In the first half the Aggie defense forced the Bears to punt on their opening possession but on the second Jackson offensive play a fumble recovery by Courtney Kimbrough gave Leroy the ball at the 40-yard line.

Seven plays later Clint Moseley hit fullback Detrick Powell for a 16-yard touchdown pass and run. The kick was wide right but the Bears led 6-0 with 5:40 left in the opening stanza.

The Aggies took the ensuing possession and started driving before another fumble, this one recovered by LHS' Grant Brown, ended the drive at the Jackson 46-yard line.

The Jackson High School Cheerleaders were prepared during the pregame ceremonies to cheer their Aggies on to victory. The girls are also accompanied by their mascot Jake. Jackson's sponsor is Anita Higginbotham. Unfortunately the girls watched their team go to a 41-6 defeat.
A steady mix of passes and runs moved the ball towards pay dirt for Leroy and Powell capped the drive as he bulled his way in from 8 yards out.

Moseley hit Charles Johnson for the two-point conversion giving Leroy a 14-0 advantage with 11:08 left in the first half.

Once again Jackson took the ball and put together a couple of first downs before Craig Weaver stepped in front of an Aggie pass, snuffing out the drive at the 32-yard line.

The Bears again found the end zone when Moseley scored on a 1-yard QB keeper. The scoring drive took just five plays and following the PAT by Paul Gartman Leroy extended the lead to 21-0 with 7:28 left in the half.

The Leroy High School Cheerleaders were pumped up prior to the "Battle of the Tombigbee" on Thursday. The girls were ready to cheer their boys on to victory against Jackson. By the end of the night the girls were successful as Leroy defeated Jackson 41-6 in the annual contest. Leroy cheerleaders are under the direction of Diane Duren. (SA photo by Jeremy Sellers)
The turnover bug continued as on the ensuing kick off an Aggie fumble was recovered by Brandon Jones, setting the Bears up at the the Jackson 42- yard line.

Three plays later Moseley called his own number on a 6- yard keeper. Gartman's kick was good and the Bears tightened their stranglehold 28-0 with 5:57 left in the second.

Jackson's offense took over and put together a drive that stalled near midfield. But the snap on the punt attempt sailed over the kicker's head and the Bears took over at the Aggie 26- yard line.

Moseley's pass to tight end Brittian Schultz bounced off the receiver's hands in the end zone as the first half came to a close.

In the second half Jackson came out determined and put together their only scoring drive of the night.

Leroy's Joe Field tackles Jackson's Richard Howard on a key play prior to halftime. Leroy's Chris Weaver and Craig Weaver also assisted on the tackle. (SA photo by Bruce Hansen)
Starting at the LHS 37-yard line following Andrew Ezell's 55-yard kickoff return, Terrence Roper capped the short drive with a 1-yard plunge. The attempt was partially

blocked but the Aggies were on the scoreboard, down 28-6 with 8:09 left in the third quarter.

Leroy took the ensuing possession and Moseley hit a streaking Johnny Williams for a 54-yard bomb as they added to their lead midway through the period. Gartman's kick was true and the Bears led 35-6.

The final score of the game came with just over seven minutes to play when Powell scored on a 4-yard run. The kick failed and the Bears took a 41-6 win back across the Tombigbee River.

It marked the first win for new Head Coach Danny Powell in his first season as the one calling the shots.

Powell led all rushers with 79 yards on 12 carries and two scores. He also caught a 16- yard TD pass.

Moseley was 12-of-16 passing for 181 yards and a pair of scores. He also carried the ball six times for 33 yards and a TD.

Jackson QB Kent Myer was 5-of-15 passing for 48 yards to lead the Jackson offense.

This Friday Leroy (1-0,0-0) gets into area play as they host Keith (1-0,0-0) in a battle of Bears. Keith beat R.C. Hatch last week 48-0.

The Aggies (0-1,0-0) look to rebound as they play host to the Tigers of Monroe County and Monroeville. Monroe County is coming off of a loss to J.F. Shields.
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