Junior Landon Norwood recovered senior Aiden Walker’s pooch kick on the first play. Tullahoma fumbled it right back on its first play, and things went downhill from there as Nolensville beat the Wildcats 31-0 Friday night in Williamson County.
Tullahoma (1-4) will open Region 5-4A play this Friday when Lawrence County visits Wilkins Stadium. Lawrenceburg (0-1, 1-4) opened its region schedule with a 45-7 loss to Columbia. Tune in to 93.9 The Duck for Friday Night Thunder at 6 pm and kickoff at 7.
After the early turnover exchange, Nolensville drove to Tullahoma’s 32-yard line. Junior Michael Palmer, the Midtown Nutrition Player of the Game, stopped Knight quarterback Ryan Newell on fourth-and-three. The Wildcats went three-and-out, and the Knights took over at their 45, driving to the Wildcat one. The Cats held again, forcing a 25-yard field goal by Matthew Serpas, and Nolensville led 3-0 with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats fumbled again inside their 25, and the Knights capitalized in four plays to lead 10-0. The Cats picked up their first first down with 10 minutes left in the half on a 14-yard pass from Patrick Riddle to Mason Brim, but the drive stalled, and Walker booted a 32-yard punt.
Nolensville needed only two minutes to drive 60 yards, with Newell scoring on a 19-yard run, staking the home team to a 17-0 lead that stood until halftime.
After Tullahoma’s three-and-out to start the third quarter, Newell found Caleb Shin on first down for a 43-yard score. The Knights followed another Walker punt with a 39-yard touchdown drive, ending on a 31-yard run by Tristin Luthmexay, increasing the lead to 31-0 and activating the TSSAA mercy rule, with a running clock for the rest of the game.
Tullahoma had a couple of fourth-quarter highlights. Jaidyn London forced a fumble, and teammate Aaron Cerniglia recovered. Backup quarterback Brady Scott scrambled for 38 yards on the final play, ending just three yards short of the end zone. Time ran out before the Cats could execute another play.
Riddle completed 6-of-11 for 37 yards, including four to Colby Shepherd for 15 and two to Brim for 22. Senior Dominick Harris, playing despite a cast on his left hand, carried 11 times for three net yards, while Riddle had eight carries for minus 12 yards with four sacks.
The Wildcats ran 34 plays and gained 65 yards. Without Scott’s run and Riddle’s pass to Brim, Tullahoma ran 32 plays for 13 yards. Nolensville ran 41 plays for 299 yards, and each team had two turnovers.
