Quick strikes lift Rucker-Stewart past Hunter

GALLATIN – Two plays in a span of three minutes defined Wednesday evening’s Sumner County Conference showdown between host Rucker-Stewart Middle and Hunter Middle.

In the first three minutes, the Rams scored twice and the defense did the rest to earn a 22-0 victory in a game that was played at Calvin Short Field one night after its scheduled date.

Rico Holmes scored on the game’s first offensive snap, breaking free for a 58-yard touchdown run. Holmes added the two-point conversion run for an 8-0 lead just 11 seconds into the contest.

“Big plays kill us every time we play (Rucker-Stewart),” Hunter head coach Constance Luttrell said. “Our game plan was exactly what we did, but they broke big plays on us. It’s like we don’t get off the bus ready to play. We got knocked around a little bit.”

After the Buccaneers punted on their first series, Rucker-Stewart wasted little time building on the lead.

Quarterback Jayden McMurray hit Billy Weakley on a short pass that turned into an 85-yard touchdown, and McMurray connected with Antonio Jenkins on the successful conversion attempt.

The balance on the big plays pleased Rucker-Stewart head coach Bobby Beasley.

“We try to be a well-balanced offense, but our goal is to get better each week,” Beasley said.

The ensuing kickoff saw the Rams regain possession after a Buccaneer player touched the football after a high bounce. However, a fumble – the first of a series of turnovers for both teams – ended the Rams’ third series, with Hunter’s Leroy Blackwell recovering.

“We had a couple of turnovers again,” Beasley said. “We had five (in a double-overtime loss to Knox Doss Middle at Drakes Creek), and we’ve got to eliminate that. We’ve still got some work to do. We’re not going to settle for this.”

Jenkins came up with an interception that set up the game’s final score, as Holmes scored his second touchdown from five yards out less than two minutes into the second quarter.

“I thought we were ready to play, but we can’t beat ourselves with turnovers,” Luttrell said.

Brady Harris intercepted a Bo Bo Hodges pass at the goalline on the next series, but the Rams lost their second fumble moments later, with Alex Dillard coming up with the loose football.

The fumble set the Buccaneers up with their best field position at the Rams’ 10-yard line, but four plays yielded no points as the Rams held on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1 yard line.

“Not getting (a touchdown) on the goal line, that hurt,” Luttrell said. “That’s a momentum-killer right there.”

Originally slated for Tuesday, weather won out and pushed the contest 24 hours later. For the Rams, the wait was worth it.

“We were chomping at the bit, ready to go (on Tuesday),” Beasley said. “Unfortunately, the rain got us … but we knew we were going to have to come out and hit them hard. I think we did that.”

Weakley caught three passes for 114 yards in the game. Holmes averaged 11 yards per carry, totaling 66 on six attempts.

Hodges completed six of 11 passes for 67 yards. Haven Mangrum caught two passes for 16 yards, and Darian Jones rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries.

Both teams will be tested on Tuesday, as Hunter hosts Shafer and the Rams will entertain Station Camp.

“We’ve got Station Camp coming here next week, and that’s a big division game for us,” Beasley said. “We need to get a win there.”

Contact Chris Brooks at 575-7118 and on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

Sumner County Conference standings

Wednesday’s scores

Ellis 54, Portland East 0

Hawkins 42, Portland West 18

Rucker-Stewart 22, Hunter 0

Shafer 22, White House 20 (OT)

Tuesday’s games

Ellis at Knox Doss at Drakes Creek (at Station Camp High)

Portland East vs. Portland West

Shafer at Hunter

Station Camp at Rucker-Stewart

White House at Hawkins