Spring City Middle Football traveled to Evensville for county match vs Rhea County Middle School on Thursday, 9/4/24. This matchup between county foes was labeled "Ridge to River Classic" back in 2013. The teams have played for many years. Spring City had enjoyed much success over the last few years with wins in 7 straight years. Both teams were coming off big wins the week before. Rhea Middle won 38-14 over McMinn West and Spring City won 30-8 over Lenoir City on the road.

Spring City received the opening kickoff. Collyn Groce returned the ball 39 yards to the Eagle's 41 yard line. Vineyard, Campbell and Groce were all involved in running the ball down to the 3 yard line before Vineyard scored the first touchdown of the game. He added the 2 point conversion run for 8-0 lead with 3:47 left in first quarter.

Rhea Middle returned kickoff to the Bulldogs' 43 yard line. An offside penalty gave Eagles a first eown at Bulldog 29 yard line. Liam May made a nice catch for another first down at the Spring City 19 yard line. Eagles went long but Collyn Groce stepped in from of receiver to intercept the ball and return to Spring City's 34 yard line.

Groce picked up a first down at 45. Campbell moved the ball down to the 37 of Rhea on a nice run. Vineyard gained another first down at the 25. Groce then covered the remaining 25 yards, breaking tackles along the way for second touchdown and Vineyard tacked on 2-point run for 16-0 lead with 1:13 left until halftime. Eagles received kickoff but turned ball over on downs and Bulldogs ran a couple of plays before halftime horn.

Bulldogs opened second half with an onside kick recovery in Eagle's territory. Campbell, Vineyard and company moved the ball down to the 9, but penalty moved back to 21 of Rhea Middle. Campbell had nice run down to the 3 yard line and then finished the job with touchdown run around the left end for the third touchdown of the night. Eagles stopped the 2-point try to keep score at 22-0 with 2:29 left in third quarter.

Eagles downed the Bulldogs' kickoff at Rhea 39 yard line. Bulldogs came up with loose ball at the Eagles' 41 to begin their next series. Groce picked up the touchdown later in the drive with 18 yard touchdown run. Vineyard picked up the last touchdown of the night late and two-point try was unsuccessful and final score ended up 36-0.

Coach Anthony Loden said after the game, "The county had the opportunity to watch the future players for Rhea County high school. Very proud of how our Bulldogs played. We host 5-1 Jefferson on Thursday with a 6:30 pm kickoff. GO BULLDOGS!!"