Sheffield wins turnover battle, game

ROGERSVILLE - The domino effect starts with turnovers, which often leads to short field position, giving offenses great opportunities to score.

Sheffield used that formula to beat the host Lauderdale County 20-7 in the Class 3A, Region 8 opener for both teams.

Sheffield scored 14 points off four Lauderdale County fumbles and scored another short touchdown when a short snap on a punt gave Sheffield the ball at Lauderdale County's 13.

Lauderdale County had five turnovers to none for Sheffield.

The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 overall, but Sheffield head coach Chris Tucker is "cautiously optimistic" following last year's 2-0 start. The Bulldogs ended the season losing seven of eight.

"We have better team chemistry this year," Tucker said. "The kids have dedicated themselves to lifting weights and doing things right to become a better team."

Lauderdale County's first three fumbles came on Sheffield punts and kicks. Sheffield kicker Sam Gaskins and punter Dylan Boston booted the ball high in the air, allowing their teammates to shut down the return lanes.

The Bulldogs converted the second turnover into a score when quarterback Brady Gregory completed a 19-yard pass to DeMarie Ricks. They turned the ball over on downs following the other two fumbles, including one at the Tigers 6-yard-line.

Gregory (115 passing yards) completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ricks with 5:45 left in the half and a 23-yarder to DeMarcus Barnett three minutes later to make the halftime score 20-0.

The first score came after a Tigers' fumble on an option play and the second followed the short snap.

"We put ourselves in a hole," Tigers head coach Trent Patterson said of the first half. "I have to do a better job working on hanging onto the football with the kids."