Eagles Entertain Oak Ridge on November 13

Evensville, TN -- Rhea County rebounded for their first loss of the season to win their opening game in the 5A Region post-season playoffs with 14-0 win over the now 4-5 Fulton Falcons. With the win, the Eagles pushed their season record to 10-1. The 8-3 Oak Ridge Wildcats were winners 30-7 over Soddy Daisy on Friday night to setup a playoff rematch with Rhea County.

Rhea County last played Oak Ridge in 2018 playoffs with Wildcats winning 42-0 to end the Eagles season. Before that game, the Eagles ended Oak Ridge's season in 2014 playoffs 35-21 to keep the Eagles unbeaten for the season. Eagles lost to eventual 5A champion West by a 35-28 score.

After this game, Rhea County head coach Mark Pemberton told the team, "Any win is a good win. We won ugly but we won."

Coach Pemberton told Rhea County Magazine that he gave the defense high marks for their effort on the night that gave the Eagles their first shutout of the season and they needed the defense to carry the team to victory.

Eagles did score two touchdowns but they did not come in first half. With 1:31 left in third period, the Falcons lined up for a very short field goal attempt to take the lead. But instead of sailing through the uprights, the ball bounced in front of Jadden Pankey and he quickly deposted the gift in the Falcon end zone and after the Cole Ruehling kick, the Eagles were up 7-0 and that was all that would be needed for the Eagles.

Eagles scored another touchdown when Ryan Young, who does so much of the blocking and hard running for the Eagles found the end zone from 6 yards out for the touchdown. Ruehling tacked on the extra point and Eagles led 14-0 with 10:11 left in game.

Eagles came up with three tournovers on the night and also gave up the rock three times to Falcons.

On defense, it was Drew Fisher and Austin Brackett in double figures with 15 and 11 tackles total. Also coming up with 7 tackles each were Rex Pendergrass and Sir Alloway.

Ethan Davis lead the Ealges with 60 yards and Ryan Young added 54 yards. Eagles only completed one pass for 1 yard of passing offense. Ealges were out first downed 9-8 and outgained 234-153. Not stats that Eagles are used to seeing . Coach Pemberton admitted that offense will have to be strong with win the next game vs Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge comes in with 8-3 record and very similar success against common opponents Karns and Soddy Diasy. The widcats have a running back who is averaging over 100 yeards per game and a quarterback, averaging 150 yards per game.