The Tullahoma Wildcats fought back from a 21-3 halftime deficit and scored three second-half touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the visiting Lawrence County Wildcats, who posted a 31-23 victory Friday night at Wilkins Stadium.
Tullahoma (0-1, 1-5) now has its back against the wall for postseason opportunities. The Cats must win at least one of their final three region games to qualify. Tullahoma hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2022. Lawrence County (1-1, 2-4) is fighting for its second consecutive playoff appearance.
Undefeated Lincoln County, coming off a 33-0 win over Giles County, comes to town this Friday, with kickoff at 7 pm on 93.9 The Duck.
Before a scattered homecoming crowd, Tullahoma’s Colby Shepherd earned the Midtown Nutrition Player of the Game, returning the opening kickoff 34 yards to set the Cats up at the THS 46-yard line. Dominick Harris sprinted 24 yards on the first play and had his facemask grabbed on the second, moving Tullahoma to the 15. The drive stalled, and Aiden Walker nailed a 30-yard field goal, giving the Cats a 3-0 lead.
Four punts on the next four possessions, combined with three Lawrenceburg touchdown drives, left the Wildcats down 21-3 at intermission. Tullahoma’s defense forced a three-and-out on the visitor’s first second-half possession, and responded with a 77-yard touchdown drive. Harris ran three times for 31 yards, and Patrick Riddle completed a 14-yard pass to Luke Hyden and a 33-yard pass to Landin Johnson. Riddle connected with Shepherd for a 10-yard touchdown, and Walker’s PAT cut the deficit to 11 with 5:39 left in the third quarter.
Lawrence County responded with a six-minute drive that ended with a 26-yard field goal and a 24-10 lead. Shepherd returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards, and after two Harris runs for 19 yards and a 15-yard pass to Johnson, Riddle bootlegged to the left side and scored from one yard away. A missed extra point left Tullahoma behind 24-16.
The visitors then produced the game-winning drive, using 5:56 off the clock and marching 71 yards on 13 plays to score on a 12-yard pass with 3:18 left in the third quarter. The drive included a fourth-and-seven where Tullahoma jumped offsides on two straight plays, handing Lawrenceburg a free first down and keeping the drive alive.
Tullahoma fought back, marching 72 yards on nine plays. Riddle found Jakin Lovett for 10 yards, Shepherd for six, Johnson for nine, and Lovett again for 13, setting Tullahoma up at Lawrenceburg’s 38 with two minutes to play. The Cats overcame a holding penalty and a delay penalty when Riddle found Johnson for a 22-yard gain, followed by a 15-yard touchdown. Riddle faked spiking the ball on the touchdown before tossing a perfect pass to Johnson.
Walker’s PAT was the final point, as Lawrence County ran out the clock, sending Tullahoma to a 1-5 record for the first time since 2003.
Tullahoma’s offense had its most balanced night. Harris rushed 12 times for 131 yards, and Riddle completed 13-of-21 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson had his best night, catching six for 107 yards and a score, and Shepherd had 116 return yards and four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Lawrenceburg dominated time of possession, 29 minutes to 19, and ran the ball 45 times for 278 yards. Tullahoma accumulated 283 yards, but that total includes minus 55 yards on sacks and poor center-to-quarterback exchanges.
The final four games will decide Tullahoma’s playoff fate. Undefeated Lincoln County comes to town this week. After fall break, senior night brings the non-region Rockvale Rockets (4-2) to Wilkins Stadium for the final home game.
Tullahoma’s final two games are on the road, first at Franklin County (0-0, 1-4) and then at Columbia (1-0, 5-1). The top two teams in Region 4-5A will host first-round playoff games, while the third and fourth teams will travel. Region 3-5A is the first-round opponent, and as of today, it looks like Walker Valley, Rhea County, and McMinn County are in, with Lenoir City and East Hamilton fighting for the last spot.
Author: C. Scott Shasteen
