BY SCOTT SHASTEEN
Tullahoma’s defense forced four turnovers and a safety, and held Franklin County to only 60 yards of offense in a decisive 43-0 Region 4-5A victory over the Rebels at Wilkins Stadium on Friday. It was the 96th meeting between the rivals, and the Rebels hold a 48-46-2 advantage. The 43-point margin was the largest for Tullahoma in the long history of the series.
Tullahoma (5-4, 2-1) will host Columbia (5-3, 3-0) Friday, with playoff positioning on the line, although both teams have qualified. The Lions, who scheduled only nine games this year, beat PJPII 45-42 this past Friday. The game will be broadcast on 93.9 The Duck.
The Wildcats got off to a slow start after celebrating homecoming all week. The first quarter featured two punts and a turnover by both teams, but no scores. The Wildcats changed that on the first play of the second quarter when Will Hyden blocked a Rebel punt in the end zone for a safety.
Three plays after Franklin County’s free kick, Wildcat quarterback Lucas Reed found Marvancy Johnson over the middle, and Johnson broke through a crowd for a 52-yard touchdown. Chase Dodson’s PAT gave the Wildcats a 9-0 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
Franklin County’s next four possessions ended with either a punt or a turnover. Johnson scored a one-yard touchdown to give the Cats a 15-0 lead. Sam Bobo intercepted the Rebels, his sixth of the year, and five plays later Reed connected with Gavin Seabolt for a 46-yard touchdown.
Wildcat junior linebacker Elijah Alexander recovered a Rebel fumble, but the Cats fumbled it back to the Rebels, and the half ended with Tullahoma in control 22-0. Tullahoma’s Dominick Harris raced 61 yards for a score, and Dodson’s PAT increased the lead to 29-0 with 3:34 remaining in the third quarter.
Alexander picked off a Rebel pass 30 seconds later, and Reed found Landin Johnson in the corner of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown, activating the mercy clock. The final Tullahoma touchdown came on a seven-yard pass from Patrick Riddle to Jakin Lovett with 6:35 remaining.
Unofficially, Reed completed 6-11 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Riddle was 2-2 for 51 yards and one TD. Harris had three carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. Marvancy Johnson had 15 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. TD passes went to Marvancy Johnson, Seabolt, Landin Johnson, and Lovett. Dodson hit five PATs and had four kickoff touchbacks.
Here is the Region 4-5A football playoff scenario:
If Lincoln Co. beats Franklin Co. and Columbia beats Tullahoma, then 1-Columbia, 2-Lincoln Co., 3-Tullahoma, 4-Lawrence Co.
If Lincoln Co. beats Franklin Co. and Tullahoma beats Columbia.
Three-way tie for first, each with one loss. Goes to the TSSAA tiebreaker, which is most wins.
1. Lincoln Co. with 8 wins, 2-Tullahoma, 3-Columbia, 4-Lawrence Co.
If Franklin Co. beats Lincoln Co., then 1-Tullahoma/Columbia winner, 2-Tullahoma/Columbia loser, 3-Lincoln, 4-Lawrence.
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