The 2023 Rhea County High School Football Team and Cheer Squad.(Photo:GaryBolden)

Rhea County Football Looking to Bounce Back from 2022

August 18, 2023 -- Evensville, TN

Rhea County hosts Soddy Daisy to open the 2023 football season. Game time is 7 pm. Weather should be sunny and 81 degrees at game time. Both teams are looking to improve on their 2022-23 records. Each team had 2 wins last season. During the preseason, coach Mark Pemberton has been very happy with the team's progress and attitude on both sides of the ball. Ethan Davis is healthy and ready to run, looking to add to his over 4400 career rushing yards. Caleb Carr will be under center and Hunter Crowe will be at fullback. The offensive line has a whole year together and will be led by senior Maurice Shirley. Ethan Davis, Maurice Shirley and Hunter Crowe will be playing both sides of the ball for the Eagles.

Several players are back including Ethan Davis, Maurice “Moe” Shirley, Hunter Crowe, KeShawn Smith and Cameon Potts who were named to the First All-Region 4-5A team. Ethan Davis was also named Offensive Player of the Year and Maurice Shirley was named Offensive Lineman of the Year for Region 4-5A. So talent is there and the team has been working hard all summer, and now its football time in Rhea County.

Teams last met in October of 2020. The Eagles won 38-14. Drew Fisher was the First Bank "Player of the Game" for that game, recording 11 tackles, 1 and 1/2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Dalton Hampton was the offensive player of the game with 11 carries for 156 yards rushing and three touchdowns as well as 2 catches for 39 yards. Ethan Davis had a nice 46 yard touchdown run in the game and totaled 143 yards on 17 rushes.

Mark Pemberton begins his 11th season at Rhea County with a record of 82-39 at Rhea County and a 245-108 overall. Pemberton has been coaching since 1984.

Starting Lineup for the Soddy Game: