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Sycamore holds off Jo Byrns





Tyler Hunnicutt (11) and Bailey Serignet (16) tackle Sycamore’s Brandon Pennington.Christina Moore

Tyler Hunnicutt (11) and Bailey Serignet (16) tackle Sycamore’s Brandon Pennington.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Mason Austin picked off two Jo Byrns’ passes including a pick-6 and recovered a fumble to lead the War Eagles to a 20-12 win on Friday night.

Austin wasn’t the only standout player of the evening for Sycamore. Senior Logan Garrett recovered a blocked punt and returned it to the one-yard line. Garrett would end that Sycamore drive with a rushing touchdown on the following play.

Garrett’s touchdown was Sycamore’s first score but the War Eagles had more in store for the first half. Mason Austin’s pick-6 would come halfway through the second quarter for the War Eagles and they would add one more score late in the second quarter when Brandon Pennington found senior Rhett Hunt for a touchdown.

Sycamore’s defense was lethal and efficient and held up well except for two touchdown passes from Jo Byrns’ Taylor Head, both of which came in the second half.

Head found Antwaun Lucas to finish off the Red Devils’ first drive of the second half and Jo Byrns’ comeback attempt was on. The touchdown was a well-thrown 24-yard pass to Lucas’ back shoulder. Lucas caught the pass and tip-toed into the end zone to give Jo Byrns its first score.

Sycamore celebrates their win.Christina Moore

Sycamore celebrates their win.Christina Moore

The Red Devils would pull to within one score when Head found Reed Blumel in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown. Jo Byrns went for two points on both touchdowns and failed each time.

Sycamore got its cleats in the ground and held Jo Byrns scoreless for the remainder of the game. After Blumel’s touchdown, there was just 4:31 left on the clock.

Sycamore’s Reece Hapner finished off the game with some powerful runs in the waning moments of the second half to put away the Red Devils.

“I can’t say enough about these guys, they’re awesome,” Sycamore coach John Harrison said as he received a very cold Gatorade bath. “Last year was a struggle and it was a process. Everybody had to buy-in and play like a team and they did it. Look at the crowd, man. Sycamore is back to doing what it’s supposed to be doing. I’m very proud, extremely proud.”

Jo Byrns' head coach Tom Adkins speaks to the team after their loss.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns’ head coach Tom Adkins speaks to the team after their loss.Christina Moore

With the win, Sycamore officially finishes the regular season and turns its attention to the playoffs. Sycamore will meet Smith County next Friday. Smith County pulled off an upset over East Nashville to take the top spot in its region.

Sycamore’s Rhett Hunt looks for a way through.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Rhett Hunt looks for a way through.Christina Moore

Sycamore's Mason Austin (3) tracks Reed Blumel.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Mason Austin (3) tracks Reed Blumel.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns' Kaleb Stuard intercepts the ball.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns’ Kaleb Stuard intercepts the ball.Christina Moore

Reed Blumel (2) makes a catch in the endzone.Christina Moore

Reed Blumel (2) makes a catch in the endzone.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns' Milachi Rivera (3) grabs a hold of Micah Matthews (15).Christina Moore

Jo Byrns’ Milachi Rivera (3) grabs a hold of Micah Matthews (15).Christina Moore

Taylor Head (12) punts the ball.Christina Moore

Taylor Head (12) punts the ball.Christina Moore

Seaton Harper runs the ball to the endzone.Christina Moore

Seaton Harper runs the ball to the endzone.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns' AJ Morgan is tackled by Sycamore's Terry Fryer.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns’ AJ Morgan is tackled by Sycamore’s Terry Fryer.Christina Moore

Sycamore QB Brandon Pennington surveys the field.Christina Moore

Sycamore QB Brandon Pennington surveys the field.Christina Moore

The Sycamore War Eagle band performs at half time.Christina Moore

The Sycamore War Eagle band performs at half time.Christina Moore

Players from both sides signal a touchdown, and a stop before the line.Christina Moore

Players from both sides signal a touchdown, and a stop before the line.Christina Moore

Sycamore's Mason Austin (3) strips the ball from Jo Byrns' Isaiah Peebles.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Mason Austin (3) strips the ball from Jo Byrns’ Isaiah Peebles.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Micah Matthews attempts a path through a crowd of Red Devils.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Micah Matthews attempts a path through a crowd of Red Devils.Christina Moore

Coach John Harrison speaks to his team during a time out.Christina Moore

Coach John Harrison speaks to his team during a time out.Christina Moore

Sycamore QB Brandon Pennington readies his throw.Christina Moore

Sycamore QB Brandon Pennington readies his throw.Christina Moore

Sycamore's Rayvon Green (5) and Mason Austin (3) tackle Jo Byrns' Reed Blumel to force the fumble.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Rayvon Green (5) and Mason Austin (3) tackle Jo Byrns’ Reed Blumel to force the fumble.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Seaton Harper (10) changes direction as Jo Byrns’ AJ Morgan (22) follows.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Seaton Harper (10) changes direction as Jo Byrns’ AJ Morgan (22) follows.Christina Moore

Sycamore's Rayvon Green (5) celebrates after recovering the fumble.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Rayvon Green (5) celebrates after recovering the fumble.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns quarterback Taylor Head looks down field.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns quarterback Taylor Head looks down field.Christina Moore

Antwaun Lucas heads to the endzone after a catch.Christina Moore

Antwaun Lucas heads to the endzone after a catch.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns' Taylor Head scrambles to throw the ball before Sycamore's Evan Dixon (60) and Silvio Rizzo (9) can reach him.Christina Moore

Jo Byrns’ Taylor Head scrambles to throw the ball before Sycamore’s Evan Dixon (60) and Silvio Rizzo (9) can reach him.Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Logan Garrett (45) tracks his target, Jo Byrns’ Bailey Serignet (16).Christina Moore

Sycamore’s Logan Garrett (45) tracks his target, Jo Byrns’ Bailey Serignet (16).Christina Moore

Sycamore Senior Paityn Parks is escorted by her mother, brother and the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department during Sycamore's Senior Night.Christina Moore

Sycamore Senior Paityn Parks is escorted by her mother, brother and the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department during Sycamore’s Senior Night.Christina Moore

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