Oak Ridge vs Central 1991 State Semifinal

[WilleTheWildcat]

In Oak Ridge ( VictORy City ), the 1991 Class AAA State Semifinal game vs Knoxville Central is known simply as " THE GAME. "  Although there was nothing " simple " about anything that happened that chilly night in November at Central.

Central was led by the great Todd Helton who would play Baseball and Football at the University of Tennessee. Todd was also a star for the Colorado Rockies of the MLB.

The Cardinal and Gray was led by Shawn Summers who would also play football for the Volunteers as a  DB and PR. 

Both teams were also stacked with other talented players and I do mean STACKED!

The previous year Central traveled to Oak Ridge and put a dog whopping on the Wildcats.

1991 was a year to settle scores. The two teams met in the regular season at KCHS. OR behind Ron Black was able to eek out a win. The Voice of the Wildcats David Clary was ON like Donkey Kong. He is famous for his calls, " YOU DID IT ONE TOO MANY TIMES TODD HELTON " and " MADE HIM EAT DIRT. "

In the Playoff game, KCHS added extra seating along the sidelines. I sat in one of those small metal bleachers. 

The game was awesome!

Did I mention the game was AWESOME?

It came down to OVERTIME. Oak Ridge scored and made the point after. Central answered and went for the extra point. Suddenly, BIG Chris Turner busted up the middle and blocked the kick and sent OR to State.

To see the whole game go to YouTube and search for Oak Ridge vs Central 1991.

Edited June 27, 2021 by WilleTheWildcat

[REBELRON]

I wasn't there but everyone I talked to said the game was best they have seen.

[chs1984]

That was a great two year run by Central though. Rhea Co. lost at their place in the ‘90 quarterfinals, in what ended up being the late Bill Horton’s final playoff run. Central moved the following week’s semifinal with Lincoln Co. to Neyland Stadium and got waxed. The next year, when they again hosted the semifinal with OR, they were determined to play in their own stadium. Turns out it didn’t matter. BTW- Rhea Co. was 0-2 at Neyland. In 1986, 12-0 and ranked in the top 10 nationally, Rhea met Halls at Neyland in the quarterfinals and lost in a huge upset. Halls went on to capture the state title. 

[STILLNUM1]

For sure the best high school game in Tennessee Ive ever seen live or watched on tv.The great players and the build up plus the unreal crowd was the best.I wonder if those days are gone because back then it seemed like high school football meant so much more than it does now.The crowd was just massive

[WilleTheWildcat]

ORHS sports Now and Forever.

[MidTennFootball]

If he had better luck in the playoffs, Joe Gaddis might be considered the best ( or one of) playoff era HC not named Rankin or Quarles

[Opie Shaggnasty]

11 hours ago, MidTennFootball said:

If he had better luck in the playoffs, Joe Gaddis might be considered the best ( or one of) playoff era HC not named Rankin or Quarles

Yeah that and maybe something else.

[GWAVE1]

We were on the other end, Gallatin was playing Stratford and the 3headed monster.  Stratford had 3 running backs with over 1000 yards and was beating everybody with that power run game.  They came out of the gate with 14 points only to have Gallatin fight back and take a decisive win in front of about 8000 to 10000 fans.  
 

During the entire game updates from Oak Ridge/Knox Central were given over the PA.  When the final score was given there was a huge surprise feel to the crowd.   What an ending!!  Of course we don’t talk about the game after that….

[chs1984]

17 hours ago, MidTennFootball said:

If he had better luck in the playoffs, Joe Gaddis might be considered the best ( or one of) playoff era HC not named Rankin or Quarles

Kept running into Riverdale……

 

[MidTennFootball]

26 minutes ago, chs1984 said:

Kept running into Riverdale……

 

Oakland as well......

[WilleTheWildcat]

Don't forget the year  ( Mid-90s )  they lost at Jefferson County in the semifinals. OR had 3 D1 players in Jason McAddley / Shaun Bohannon ( Alabama ) and Mike Gipson ( Florida ). I've heard all kinds of stories about that team from attending a big Party the night before to simply being overconfident. All I know is OR should have won.

[chs1984]

3 hours ago, WilleTheWildcat said:

Don't forget the year  ( Mid-90s )  they lost at Jefferson County in the semifinals. OR had 3 D1 players in Jason McAddley / Shaun Bohannon ( Alabama ) and Mike Gipson ( Florida ). I've heard all kinds of stories about that team from attending a big Party the night before to simply being overconfident. All I know is OR should have won.

1996. Jefferson upset Riverdale in round one. Last really good team Kisbeth had. If it’s any consolation, OR would’ve never beat that Brentwood Academy team in the final.