Cleveland's Raekwon Bunion (8) runs the ball while being well protected against Ooltewah defenders.Despite being crowned district champion a year ago, the Ooltewah High School football team had a nasty taste in its mouth from a loss to Cleveland late in the season. Those two teams, along with East Hamilton, each finished 5-1 in district play.
This season, Ooltewah's name will be all alone at the top.
The Owls put together an all-around performance Friday night, using solid play from their defense and special teams to post a 30-14 win over the Blue Raiders at James Monroe Stadium. The win gives the Owls a 9-0 record, and they can finish an undefeated regular season with a win Thursday night against McMinn County.
Cleveland (5-5, 4-2) finishes second in the district and will have a spot in the Class 5A playoffs when they begin in two weeks.
Ooltewah's Rashun Freeman had a 45-yard touchdown reception in the game's first possession, and he scored a touchdown on a punt return in the third quarter and added an interception. He finished with 111 yards receiving on six catches.
"In the back of our minds, we knew that they beat us last year," Freeman said. "We knew we were the better team, and the coaches put us in the right position and we came out and executed."
The Blue Raiders were able to move the ball effectively, but after a tying touchdown pass from Austin Massey to Isaiah Beaty in their first possession they had four drives end inside the Ooltewah 30 -- three by interceptions.
"We have to end every possession in a kick. If we do that, it's a tighter ballgame," Cleveland coach Ron Crawford said.
After Beaty's touchdown catch, Ooltewah's Laslo Toser kicked field goals of 31, 33 and 27 yards, and Frunsez Kendricks added a touchdown run from a yard out.
The Owls finished with 437 yards of offense. Quarterback Kelvin Leon had 348 yards passing, with Edward Hayes catching nine passes for 99 yards.
Cleveland's T.J. Parker, who finished with 169 yards rushing, scored the game's final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Raekwon Bunion added 91 yards before leaving with a knee injury in the fourth quarter. Massey, who had a second-half shoulder injury, and backup Jake Gibson combined for 134 yards passing.
"Our defense gave up yardage, but they did a great job in the red zone," Ooltewah coach Mac Bryan said. "The offense did well despite having a lot of long fields. We made plays when we needed it -- tonight was a team effort."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.