While the Fort Campbell Falcons run of three consecutive state titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009 was impressive, it was almost even more so. If not for an upset loss in the 3rd round of the Class 2A playoffs, the 2005 Falcon team might have kicked off a run of four titles in five years.
The 2005 Falcons, like the teams in 2007, 2008, and 2009, were loaded with talent. That Falcon team was led by Mr. Football Micah Johnson, who went on to play linebacker at the University of Kentucky.
However, Johnson was far from a one man show for Fort Campbell that season. The team also included Leonard Gordon, who committed to Notre Dame, in the defensive backfield. Orlando Misaalefua joined Johnson as part of a frighteningly good linebacker corps.
Other standouts on the roster included Jesse Fox, Zach Rinestine, Jose Copeland, Josh McWherter, Nate Johnson, C.J. Croft, Tim Atcher, and Yule Winbush, just to mention a few.
While the 2005 Falcon team had no trouble putting up points, it was the defense that put up jaw-dropping numbers in the season “that almost was.”
During the 2005 regular season, no team scored more than 10 points against the Falcons. That 10 points came in the August 26th Army Bowl game against Fort Knox, which Fort Campbell won 46-10.
From that point on in the regular season, no team scored more than 7 points in a game against the Falcon defense. Three times, Fort Campbell would shut out an opponent during the 2005 regular season.
The only team to come within 30 points of the Falcons during the regular season was Trigg County, which fought the Falcons tooth and nail down to the wire, with Fort Campbell taking the 14-7 win.
The Falcon offense was just as potent as the defense, scoring over 50 points six times during the regular season. Micah Johnson and Tim Atcher were both in the Top 25 in scoring in the state. Fort Campbell was #3 in scoring defense, and #2 in the state in scoring margin. The Falcon defense was in the Top 5 both against the pass and against the run.
It appeared the Falcons were headed for a state title, and the pollsters thought so as well, as Fort Campbell held the #1 spot in the Class 2A rankings through the season.
The Falcons would open the playoffs at home, taking on Edmonson County. The game was essentially over when it began, as the Falcons cruised to the 58-0 win.
The second round found the Falcons hosting Caldwell County on post. After winning 40-7 during the regular season, it was more of the same for the Falcons in round two, as they routed the Tigers 56-7. The win marked the 10th game in a row that an opponent had failed to score in double figures against the Falcons. It appeared they were in “full flight” towards a state championship.
Then came the night of November 18. It was another home game for the top-ranked Falcons, as they hosted the Owensboro Catholic Aces. While not quite as numerically impressive as Fort Campbell, the Aces were on a roll of their own. Catholic was on a ten game winning streak, and their only loss was to crosstown rival Owensboro in Week 2 of the regular season.
There were key moments that would go towards deciding the game. A rib injury to Leonard Gordon impacted the Fort Campbell defense for the rest of the night. Another key moment came late in the first half, when Catholic coach John Edge elected to go for a 4th down deep in his own end of the field. The Aces would pick up the first down and score right before the end of the half.
It appeared the Falcons had control leading in the 3rd quarter 25-14. However, the Aces rallied with the final 14 points of the game to win 28-25. Thus, ending the hopes of a Falcons title.
The legacy of three in a row is pretty solid, but the Falcons were oh so close to having one more big trophy to have on display.
