Copper Basin running back and defensive back Peyton Sosebee helped the Cougars turn a slow start against Grace Academy last Friday into a Region 3-1A victory.Honorable mention
› Luke Shiflett, Northwest Whitfield: He completed 20 of 31 passes with one interception for 293 yards and three TDs in a rally that fell short against Ridgeland.› Cole Kibler, Ringgold: He threw 42 passes, completing 26 with no interceptions for 339 yards and two TDs in a loss to Sonoraville.› Andre Tarver, Ringgold: He had 13 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Copper Basin's start against Grace Academy wasn't exactly what Copper Basin coaches, players and fans had in mind. The Cougars were down 14-0 at the first-quarter stop.
Enter assistant coach Terry Flowers, who suggested a tweak to the Cougars' defense after the Golden Eagles' game-opening offensive spurt, and add running back/defensive back Peyton Sosebee. It made for a successful combination that led the Cougars' to a 35-21 Region 3-1A victory last Friday and kept them in the postseason picture.
"They had us down 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. It might be the slowest start we've ever had," Copper Basin head coach Patrick Daley said. "They were running something we couldn't stop. Coach Flowers diagnosed it, the guys began gathering some confidence and we scored 21 unanswered."
It might have been a little tougher without Sosebee, who rushed 32 times for 248 yards and three touchdowns; on defense, he made 10 solo tackles with six assists and an interception. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder was selected by the Times Free Press as the Waffle House All-Star player of the week.
"He played a huge part on both sides of the ball," Daley said of Sosebee. "He's more of a power runner, but he has a combination of speed and power. He can run like a fullback, but we get in an empty set and run him to the fullback spot. He can grit out the hard yards, but he can also get out in the open and go. He's a good receiver, too."
Daley also said Sosebee, who rushed for close to 1,500 yards a year ago, would share credit for Friday's performance.
"Without question," Daly said. "He'd give most of the credit to the offensive line because he's that kind of kid. And they blocked extremely well, but Sosebee also had a lot of yards after contact."
Daley seems especially proud of the senior running back, who is getting looks from Lindsey Wilson and other NAIA programs.
"He's put up numbers like this previously," Daley said. "That's just Peyton. He's a good kid. He doesn't say 'Look at me' or expect any extra credit. He just looks at it as him doing his job as a member of the team."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.