The last thing East Ridge coach Chad Barger shared with his players before taking the field Friday night was a challenge to be the tougher football team.
Message received.
The Pioneers were on the positive side of almost every critical play in the TSSAA Region 3-4A matchup — from winning the turnover battle with three interceptions to converting two fourth-down tries on a momentum-swinging touchdown drive before halftime — for a 29-21 win that spoiled homecoming at Signal Mountain.
"My kids play so hard, and I am just so proud of how they have kept fighting," Barger said of the Pioneers, who won for the second straight game and now control their playoff fate.
East Ridge (2-5, 1-2) got 101 rushing yards and a score from quarterback Jermaine Blackstock, two second-half touchdown runs from Justin Ellis, and a tremendous all-around performance by receiver/safety Hasani Jackson, who added a touchdown catch.
It was just enough to send the Eagles (3-4, 1-3) into must-win mode if the playoffs are to be part of their 2023 plans.
For Signal Mountain, Garrett Wilson threw three touchdown passes and accounted for 88 yards rushing and 143 passing, Blake Wolfard had six catches for 75 yards and a score, and Christian Thompson made a highlight reel catch for a score. Malik Davis added the final touchdown reception for the Eagles.
"They're all frustrating," coach Josh Roberts said of losses, "but this one hurts."
(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday night's Chattanooga-area football games)
Hixson 49, Sequoyah 6: The Wildcats raced out to a 28-6 halftime lead, then ended all doubt with a 21-point third quarter for the Region 3-4A win and their fifth victory in a row.
Chase Barnard threw for 193 yards and three touchdowns, including six completions to Tariq Reese for 161 yards and two scores, and Koko Kendricks ran for 79 yards and a touchdown to lead the Wildcats (5-2, 4-0) past Sequoyah (2-5, 0-4).
Barnard also finished with four tackles, while Ronald Suttles led the Hixson defense with five solo stops and three assists.
McMinn County 35, Rhea County 7: The Cherokees put the Region 4-5A win away with a 21-point third quarter.
Taylor White ran for 152 yards and three scores, including one that covered 64-yards and a 46-yarder, and Jacob Sharp added 66 yards and a score as the Cherokees (5-2, 3-0) outrushed the Golden Eagles 288-113. Mason Ford ran 22 times for 76 yards to lead Rhea County (3-4, 1-2).
Lakeway Christian 27, Silverdale Baptist 13: Connor Jenne passed for 136 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough as the Seahawks fell to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in Division II-AA's East Region. Levi Martin threw for 152 yards and a touchdown to lead Lakeway Christian (4-2, 3-1).
Grace Academy 62, Alabama School for the Deaf 30: Clayton Gunther completed 13 of 15 passes for 135 yards and four touchdown as the Golden Eagles rolled up 333 total yards. Wesley Thompson led the winners on defense with four tackles, including two for loss.
Other area scores:
Bledsoe County 19, Whitwell 7
Boyd Buchanan 56, Notre Dame 7
Bradley Central 28, Farragut 20
Central 34, Sweetwater 23
Chattanooga Christian 43, Christian Academy of Knoxville 8
East Hamilton 34, Ooltewah 21
Fayetteville 28, Sequatchie County 14
Grundy County 37, Community 18
Knoxville Webb 38, Brainerd 0
Meigs County 53, McMinn Central 29
Polk County 21, Wartburg 7
Red Bank 14, Soddy-Daisy 0
Sale Creek 45, Lookout Valley 6
Walker Valley 44, Howard 0
Compiled by Jay Greeson and Stephen Hargis. Contact them at sports@timesfreepress.com.