Oak Ridge football gets big games from Johnny Stewart, Kai’reese Pendergrass, routs Powell

Oak Ridge wide receiver Kai’reese Pendergrass may have only touched the ball four times on Friday night, but each of those times spurned an electrifying moment in the Wildcats’ 42-7 win over Region 3-5A opponent Powell.

Pendergrass’ 32-yard touchdown catch with 3:29 left in the first quarter kick-started Oak Ridge (7-2, 5-0), giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead early. He then helped convert a pivotal third-down in the second quarter with a catch that gave Oak Ridge a first down.

After a 55-yard touchdown run by Caelan Thompson in the second quarter, Pendergrass’ lone run, a 27-yard sprint down the middle of the field in the third quarter, helped set up his second touchdown on the night — a 19-yard pass from Johnny Stewart that put his team up 35-7.

Friday’s win was the junior’s first-ever two-touchdown game and the third time this year a Wildcat receiver has finished with multiple touchdown catches. Pendergrass finished the game with three catches for 53 yards.

“I don’t know if I just play better in the cold or if I just had a new feeling for me today when I woke up this morning, but something worked,” Pendergrass said. “This week in practice, we went over everything, and we just felt good coming in.”

Stewart threw the ball 19 times with nine completions for 146 yards, three passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and an interception. Stewart’s other touchdown pass went to Caleb Martin, who hauled it in from 20 yards out in the first quarter.

“We have our ups and downs, but on the field, he never lets me down,” Pendergrass said of his quarterback.

Oak Ridge coach Joe Gaddis echoed Pendergrass’ comments on Stewart’s leadership but said the team needs to prepare for Fulton next week.

“We've got a system we go through,” Gaddis said. “We’ll be ready to play next Friday night.”  

Powell sophomore quarterback Walker Trusley, who entered the game with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season, threw multiple picks for the first time in his career. Trusley ended the night 21-of-35 with 168 yards, two interceptions, a fumble and no touchdowns for the Panthers (5-4, 2-4).

Powell's lone score came on a 17-yard run by Jonathan McQueen in the second quarter.