Surprises happen every week on the high school football field, and the Times Free Press staff is all over them. Here are five notable ones following this past week’s action:
› Pioneer points rampage: There has been a new swagger occupying Raymond James Stadium this fall and for good reason.
One of the area’s most prolific offenses has been adorned in orange and white as the East Ridge football team broke its previous single-season scoring record with one regular season game left to play.
The new arrivals of Jerl Young (1,563 total yards, 26 TDs) and offensive coordinator Shawn Cooley have provided a massive boost along with the strong play of first-year starting quarterback Camron Hollis. Playmakers abound in the offense as Mark Sessions, King Knox, Jamari Jones, and Bentley Moore have all provided big plays.
For the seventh time this season, the Pioneers scored at least 35 points in this past Friday’s road victory over Hixson to set the new single-season scoring mark at 381 points.
This season’s 42.3 points per game mark is a drastic change from the 15.6 total last fall, during which East Ridge only scored seven points against Brainerd and also lost to Cumberland County by the score of 3-2. The Pioneers broke the program’s single-game scoring record and largest margin of victory when they beat Brainerd 63-7 in Week 3.
Now, Chad Barger’s team looks to produce the programs ninth season with at least eight wins the Pioneers close the regular season on the road against a 2-win Sequoyah.
Epic prep football turnarounds continue for Cleveland, East Ridge; Sonoraville shocks LaFayette
› Blue Raiders clinch home playoff game: There should be little debate when it comes time to decide the Region 2-6A coach of the year.
Chris Brown has led a remarkable resurgence at Cleveland, as the Blue Raiders have gone from a 1-9 finish last season to an 8-1 mark in a year’s time. They will also host a playoff game for the first time since 2014, including the program’s first in its 10th season in Class 6A
After losing by a combined score of 70-6 to Bradley Central and Walker Valley last season, Cleveland smashed its two county rivals this season with a 48-20 road win over the Mustangs in the season-opener and a 44-10 home win over the Bears.
Senior dual-threat quarterback Kason McGowan has been one of the area’s most impactful leaders as he has averaged nearly 260 yards per game and has 25 touchdowns. Meanwhile, junior Daxton Evans has set the tone up front defensively for the Blue Raiders with 13 tackles for loss, including eight sacks.
› Buccaneers take down unbeaten Warriors: Senior Mason Bates has provided big hits throughout his prep career at Boyd Buchanan. However, the captain delivered one of the biggest offensive plays of the season for his team when his 11-yard touchdown run provided the game-winning score in Friday’s shocking 36-35 home victory over previously unbeaten CAK.
A pair of sophomore defenders sealed the win for the Buccaneers when Maddox Medlock and Peyton Martin stuffed a 2-point rushing attempt by the CAK quarterback, who had a pair of passing and rushing touchdowns in the defeat.
Boyd Buchanan rushed for 298 yards to pick up a massive region victory, which was its first win in over a month since a 35-13 home win over CCS in which Bates set a new single-game program record with 22 total tackles.
Junior Jack Ferguson enjoyed a career-day with 214 yards on the ground as the Buccaneers fought back to topple the Warriors, who led 29-15 at halftime.
› Seahawks bend but don’t break: Despite opponents outscoring Silverdale Baptist 27.6 to 22.4 on average for the season, the Seahawks have showcased their resilience, no more so than Friday’s 34-31 road victory over Notre Dame
Mike Connor’s team improved to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in Division II-AA East Region play as they won desipte the Irish having seven different ball carriers combine for 339 rushing yards. The Seahawks, however, held the Fighting Irish to 1-of-14 on third downs and forced two turnovers that resulted in Silverdale scores.
Junior Jackson Deitch has been one of the area’s brightest two-way stars this fall. Deitch leads the Seahawks with 96 tackles as well as 668 rushing yards (9.2 yards per carry) and eight rushing scores. Sophomore Tallen Hobbs also played a key role in the win over Notre Dame with two of his team’s six tackles for loss, including a sack.
› Phoenix rising: Sonoraville may have saved its season while the same time put a damper on LaFayette’s after a 43-32 comeback win Friday in Region 7-AAA. The Pheonix (2-6, 2-3) trailed 26-14 entering the final quarter and 32-21 four minutes into it before pulling off the stunning rally. Braxen McMahan, a GHSA sprint champion, had five catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in the 26-point fourth quarter, but it was his two interceptions that turned the tide, including a 65-yard Pick-6 for the final tally.
Quarterback Jacob Hoold had 270 yards and three TD passes, two in the final 12 minutes, while Jayden Lowe’s 2-yard run after McMahan’s first fourth-quarter pick gave Sonoraville it’s first lead at 36-32. Sonoraville will need to likely win out to move into the top 32 in PSR, while LaFayette (6-2, 3-2) can still move up with wins in the last two games.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com.