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Both teams trade punts. Powell has it at midfield with 3:30 to go in the 1st qtr.

OR answers two plays later with a long run by Dozier. Powell leads 8-7.

OR goes three and out on their opening drive. After the punt, Wheeler takes in 79 yards for a Powell TD. Panthers decide to go for 2 and get it. Powell leads 8-0 early in the 1st qtr.

Great news!

Against WV, Powell was probably as healthy as they've been all season. I'm not aware of any significant injuries coming out of that one. As far as the penalties go, I don't see that changing unfortunately. OR will definitely score in this game, no question. Powell's defense has improved as the year has gone on, but they aren't the force that they were at the same time last year (no Walter Nolan). That said, OR can't afford to shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly. I know they are playing MUCH better football now, but the first time these two teams played, OR couldn't put together consecutive positive plays. And that's no exaggeration. On defense, OR has to take away the big play. Powell is a different animal when they have to put together long drives. Interesting nugget, but one thing we saw for the first time all season against WV was Potts' willingness to run. I'm not sure if they've been trying to protect him, given those early season injuries he suffered, but his running ability added a dimension to their offense that was missing, and that was as good as Powell's offense has looked all year long. IMO, they absolutely had to add that back into their arsenal to have any chance of making a deep playoff run. Fun fact about Lowe vs. Cummings. They haven't played as many times as I was thinking. If you throw out the COVID forfeit, I think they've only played each other 8 times (this will be the 9th meeting). Scott beat Matt in 2006 and 2007, during Matt's first two years at Powell. Matt has won every meeting since then, including the two playoff matchups in 2011 and 2012.

I like the cut of your jib, SS.

Great point. First real cold weather that these kids have seen this fall too. Certainly could benefit a team like OR as opposed to Powell.

Last night was as motivated as I've seen Powell all season long. If that team shows up on Friday, I don't think this one will be very close.

Are we seriously going to debate best high school ADs?

He's actually headed back over to AC for the Greeneville game. But I figure he'll cover the SF between the West/Boone and Powell/OR winners.

OR blocks McMinn's game-winning FG attempt, so the Panthers will host the Wildcats next week.

OR blocks it, Wildcats win 13-12. OR heads to Powell for the QFs next week.

McMinn will attempt a 40-yard FG for the win.

9 seconds to go, McMinn down to the OR 22.

30 seconds to go, McMinn has it at the OR 35.

OR has found some offense and leads 13-12 with 2 min to go. McMinn has it at their own 1 with a chance to win it.

What on earth is Elizabethton doing??

Powell wins it, 48-0. Looks like Oak Ridge finally found some offense in the second half.

Keep that clock running. 41-0 as we head to the 4th qtr.

Man, not sure what Elizabethton was doing on those two 3rd and 10 conversions. Those WRs were wide open.

Man, Powell is clicking and WV is coming unglued. 41-0 with 22 seconds left in the half.

Another TD by Greene. 35-0 Powell, 2 min left in the half.

All Powell so far. 28-0 late in the half.

Yup. I'll never forget seeing that either. It was embarrassing.

No argument there. Either way, Potts and his classmates had to spend all off-season two years ago thinking about that loss.