The Tullahoma Wildcats will hit the reset button this week after traveling to Cleveland Friday night and getting shut out 33-0. The Wildcats managed only 71 yards of offense against the stout Blue Raider defense.
Tullahoma (1-2) must shake off the loss and turn its attention to the White County Warriors, who bring a 3-0 record and No. 6 Class 4A ranking into Wilkins Stadium. The Warriors edged Cookeville 28-21 last week. Coverage begins at 6 pm with Friday Night Thunder, then moves to the stadium at 6:45 on 93.9 The Duck.
The Wildcats punted on their first possession, and Cleveland (3-0) drove 70 yards, using 5:40 off the clock, and scored on a one-yard run by quarterback Kason McGowan. On first down at midfield, Tullahoma snapped the ball over quarterback Patrick Riddle’s head for a 14-yard loss, killing the drive opportunity.
The Blue Raiders drove 66 yards in 10 plays, using 3:53 between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second, and scored on a four-yard pass from McGowan to Daxton Evans. After a punt exchange, Cleveland drove 61 yards and scored on an 11-yard run by backup quarterback Chris Small.
Trailing 20-0, Riddle fumbled, and the Blue Raiders recovered, but sophomore Luke Hyden blocked Cleveland’s field goal attempt to end the half.
The Wildcats converted a successful onside kick to open the second half, with Jalen Escamillo, the Midtown Nutrition Player of the Game, recovering. The Cats still couldn’t move the ball, and senior Aiden Walker boomed a 41-yard punt to pin the Blue Raiders at their seven-yard line.
Undeterred, the home team drove 93 yards on 12 plays, using 6:20 off the third-quarter clock, and scored on a one-yard run by Anthony Eddins to take a 27-0 lead. After another Wildcat three-and-out, Walker boomed a 58-yard punt. With a holding call tacked on the return, the Blue Raiders started at their 15.
The only explosive play of the game came with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter, when McGowan connected with Kyreece Westfield for a 73-yard touchdown. Wildcat junior Gabe DeLaughter intercepted a two-point try in the end zone, but Cleveland led 33-0, and the TSSAA Mercy Rule went into effect.
Brady Scott replaced Riddle and ran for 22 yards, the longest gain of the night for the Cats, as time expired.
