Rockvale kicked a 31-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, tying the score at 31-31, then converted a 2-point conversion in overtime to beat Tullahoma 39-38 at Rockvale Friday night in a non-conference contest.
Tullahoma (4-4, 1-1) will host Region 4-5A rival Franklin County (1-7, 0-2) Friday night for homecoming. The Wildcats must beat the Rebels and then Columbia to finish first or second in the region and host a first-round playoff game. If they lose either, the Cats will likely travel in the opening round.
The Wildcats led the Rockets 24-7 early in the second half, but a barrage of penalties against Tullahoma kept the Cats from taking complete control. Instead, Rockville scored the next three touchdowns to take a 28-24 lead. With 1:41 left in regulation, the Wildcats needed a miracle.
The game couldn’t have started any better for Rockvale. On the first play, QB Jonathan Hamby connected with RC Chiha for an 80-yard touchdown. Ten seconds into the game, and Rockvale led 7-0.
An illegal procedure penalty put the Cats behind the chains, but junior Aiden Walker boomed a 51-yard punt to flip field position. The Rockets drove to the Tullahoma 47, but failed on a fourth- down pass. After a three-and-out by the Wildcats, the first quarter ended with Rockvale ahead 7-0.
A holding penalty nullified a Rockvale touchdown, and another holding call forced another fourth-down attempt. Tullahoma’s defense made the stop, and the Cats took over at their 41-yard line. The visitors drove 59 yards in seven plays and scored on a 25-yard pass from QB Lucas Reed, named the Midtown Nutrition Player of the Game, to Marvancy Johnson. Chase Dodson’s PAT tied the score at 7-7 with 4:22 left in the half.
Wildcat senior Will Hyden sacked Hamby for a 20-yard loss, and on fourth down, the Rockets snapped the ball over the punter’s head and into the end zone for a safety. The Cats led 9-7. After receiving the free kick, Tullahoma drove 54 yards in nine plays, with Reed scoring at the goal line on the final play of the half. The drive included 15 and 30-yard completions from Reed
to Hyden. Dodson’s kick ended the first 24 minutes with the Cats holding a 16-7 lead.
Tullahoma’s momentum held to start the third quarter. Johnson ran for 42 yards on first down and scored on a 15-yard run. Junior Patrick Riddle ran in the 2-point conversion, and the Cats led 24-7 with 10:36 left in the third quarter. The Wildcats were in complete control.
The THS defense forced a three-and-out, and after a 16-yard Rockvale punt, the offense took over at the Rockets’ 37. In the next five plays, the Wildcats were penalized four times for 41 yards and forced to punt.
Tullahoma’s defense forced a fumble and recovered, but Reed was sacked for 14 yards and Tullahoma punted again. Momentum swung with 1:08 left in the third quarter when Hamby connected with Chiha for a 45-yard touchdown. After another penalty thwarted the next Wildcat drive, Rockvale scored again with 10:40 remaining on a 42-yard TD pass from Hamby to Dallas Pauldo, closing the margin to 24-21.
The Wildcats lost their offensive rhythm, and after another punt, the Rockets missed a 37-yard field goal attempt. With four minutes left in regulation, Rockvale intercepted Reed and scored with 1:41 left to play.
Trailing 28-24 and facing fourth-and-15, Reed connected with Johnson over the middle for an apparent 70-yard touchdown. However, 30 yards behind the play, Tullahoma was called for holding, nullifying the touchdown but giving the Wildcats a first down. With 39 seconds left, the Cats got their miracle – a 51-yard touchdown toss from Reed to Hyden. Dodson’s kick put the Wildcats ahead 31-28.
To their credit, the Rockets hit three chunk plays and nailed a 31-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to tie the score at 31-31 and force overtime. Tullahoma’s previous overtime game came on December 4, 2021, a 21-14 win over Elizabethton to win the state title. Tullahoma got the ball first, with four downs from the 10-yard line. Reed ran for seven but was injured and left the game. Johnson scored on the next play, and Dodson gave the Wildcats a
38-31 lead. Chiha scored on first down for Rockvale, and with Hyden in his face, Hamby connected with Pauldo for the 2-point conversion and the win.
Unofficially, Johnson ran 18 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 42 yards and another score. Hyden caught three for 96 yards and a score, while Reed completed 11-20 for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Dodson was 4-4 in PAT attempts, and all four kickoffs were touchbacks.
For Rockvale, Hamby completed 15-21 for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Chiha had five catches for 163 yards and two scores. The Rockets compiled 385 yards of offense, while the Wildcats had 253 yards.
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