Grace Christian (7-3, 5-1 district) at Rockwood (7-3, 4-2 district)
Rockwood may have just upped its seeding in the playoffs with a win over the district champion Rams of Grace Christian. It took a come-from-behind effort from the Tigers, but they were resilient in the fourth quarter and beat the Rams 22-15. It was a night of breast cancer awareness for the Tigers and survivors of the disease had an opportunity to walk out on the field with the team, whom all carried a pink balloon onto the field. After a scoreless first quarter, Jason Gaus would take a handoff for a short run to score to make it 7-0 Tigers. Turnovers were in abundance in this contest as the Tigers would fumble in the end zone. Next possession for Grace Christian, Cameron Kuerschen would score a short touchdown to close the game to one point, after the blocked PAT. Early in the third quarter, Nathan Pettit, the Rams’ running back would throw a touchdown pass on a trick play to Kobe Kelly. The score would stand at 15-7 after a failed two-point conversion. Rockwood would come back and win in the fourth quarter, 22-15. That game would give Grace Christian its first district loss.
Oak Ridge (10-0, 8-0 district) at Anderson County (8-2, 7-1 district)
This game decided the district title as Anderson County hosted undefeated Oak Ridge. An early Mavericks turnover wouldn’t put them in good shape, as it led to a one-yard score from quarterback Gavin Warrington. Anderson County would answer with Garrett Johnson hitting Cale Brock on a slant, but the Mavs still trailed 7-6 after the missed PAT. Oak Ridge would respond with a Logan Fadnek 72-yard bomb to Tee Higgins to push the Wildcats’ lead to eight. In the fourth quarter, Fadnek would find Higgins again for another score. Oak Ridge went on to win and with that comes the District 3, 3A crown and the 13th undefeated season in school history.
Sweetwater (6-4, 2-2 district) at Sequoyah (3-7, 1-3 district)
It was a close contest as Sequoyah played host to Sweetwater. Jonathan Taylor would race for a 71-yard run to put Sweetwater ahead 14-7. D.J. Vanderwerf, under pressure, would chuck a deep ball to Andrew Campbell in the end zone for another Sweetwater touchdown. It would go on to win 29-26 after a Sequoyah rally made it interesting.
Farragut (4-6, 4-3 district) at Maryville (10-0, 7-0 district)
It was a tall order for Farragut to make the playoffs. Win and you’re in. But the opponent was unbeaten Maryville and the Rebels had other ideas. Maryville would score 42 unanswered points to start the game until a one yard run in third quarter garbage time for the Admirals put them on the board. Maryville went on to eliminate Farragut 49-14.
Loudon (10-0, 4-0 district) vs. Polk County (0-10)
Undefeated, yet unranked Loudon looked like they are still playing with a chip on their shoulder. On the Redskins’ first play from scrimmage, running back Josh Jackson took it 54 yards for the opening score. After a Wildcat three and out, Loudon quarterback Travis Brewer connected with Tyler Ferguson for the 60-yard touchdown. The Redskins put this one out of reach on the next possession as Brewer found Logan Seward for another long score. Look for Loudon to be a number one seed going into the playoffs.
Hardin Valley (6-4, 5-2 district) – Heritage (3-7, 2-5 district)
The Hawks flew into this one riding a 56-0 thrashing of Lenoir City last week. The Mountaineers wouldn’t slow HVA’s roll either. Ryan Ferguson got the Hawks on the board first with a 5 yard touchdown early in the first quarter. Later in the first, a halfback pass from Isiah Aguero to Isiah Woodruff stretched the HVA to 14-0. After a Heritage safety, Ryan Ferguson would cash in his second touchdown of the night. He finished three total TDs as HVA rolled over Heritage 50-21.
South-Doyle (10-0, 7-0 district) – Sevier County (7-3, 6-1 district)
The Smoky Bears hosted the Cherokees for the IMAC title on Thursday night. On the first South-Doyle possession, Tennessee commit Joc Bruce got the Cherokees on the board first for an early 7-0 lead. Later in the second, QB Brody Rollins stretched out the South-Doyle lead to 14-0 on a 19-yard scramble. Zach Sauls finally got Sevier in the scoring books on a one run yard plunge to make it 14-0 with 9:44 left in the second quarter. After a Smoky Bear field goal, South-Doyle made the momentum shift of the night. Rollins connected with Shoan Lebeaux for 81 yards and a 20-10 lead right before the break. Coming out of the half, Sauls scored his second TD of the night to make it 20-17 but that would be as close as it would get. Joc Bruce would later add a passing touchdown to his stat line as the Cherokees snapped the Smoky Bears five-year district title run winning 33-19.
