RCMS JV Lose 2-1 at Loftis,

Soddy, Tn -- On Friday, 9/12/25, Rhea County travels to Soddy for rematch from last year's 49-42 game. Both teams come in 3-0 and both teams like to run the ball. Soddy has experience at the quarterback spot with Tucker Ross and he, like Jaxton Schmitt, has the ability to run well. On the ground, Mason Ford has been consistent and his hard running has been a core for this team. Aiden Wilkerson has provided Schmitt an exciting speed target as well as Austun Fugate. Wilkerson and Fugate have also run the ball well from the receiver position. The offensive and defensive line has shown to be the key to this team as they bring experience and have performed well this year. Rhea has replaced its entire starting linebacker crew from last year and through three games they have performed well. Austun Fugate continues to provide steady and strong kicking, while also handling the punting. Wilkerson has been the biggest contributor on the return game for Eagles. Ford leads Eagles with 278 yards rushing on 39 rushes.

Josh Owensby in second year as head coach. Soddy lost 4 offensive linemen from last year. They rushed for almost 3000 years last year. This year they moved up to 5A this year. Soddy comes in 3-0 with close 14-13 opening win at White County(2-1 on season) before 24-7 win over Hixson at home and a 21-0 win in game last week at Signal Mountain. At White County, Tucker Ross was the main offense in the air with 195 yards passing and on the ground with 60 yards rushing vs White County. Soddy only had 35 yards rushing from running backs in that game in 15 attempts.

Against Hixson Soddy got back to running with 52 attempts for 239 yards and only needed 106 yards passing form Ross. Several sophomores have provided defense this year with Jake Laxton, Emry King and Fisher Higgins being at the top of the tacklers for Soddy this year. Seniors Lott, Collison have also been big on defense.

AT Signal Mountain Shawn Murphy scored and Logan Alexander. Tucker Ross to Aiden Hollis for touchdown in the air. Final 21-0.

Soddy began the 2024 season against Rhea to break in their new stadium. Mason Ford and Chauncey Odum provided over 300 yards rushing for the Eagles in that game. In the end, Trojans won 49-42 in coach Taylor Harvey's first game as coach. Eagles rushed for 310 yards in the game and passed for 132 by the arm of Caleb Carr. Gone is Chauncey Odum, who accounted for 188 of those yards on 21 carries, but Mason Ford had continued his hard running this year. Aiden Wilkerson had 6 catches for 113 yards. Ace Robinson, who had 17 solo tackles in that game will be missed on defense. Soddy lost their top tacklers in that game Gage Welch, who had 13 solo tackles. Soddy scored a big touchdown with just 15 seconds on clock to take 21-14 halftime lead and scored with just seconds gone in second half. Two turnovers by Eagles and none by Soddy proved a big difference in the game.

Josh Owensby is Rhea County High School graduate(2004) and former member of the Rhea County coaching staff(Offensive coordinator (2012-14) and earlier as assistant under Jason Fitzgerald.

Key returning players for this year include Tucker Ross, Sean Collison, Logan Alexander, Anthony Lott, Pet Laxton and Aiden Hollis.

Callum Williams has provided a strong leg on kickoffs for Soddy as well as punting well. Aiden Hollis has been handling the punt returns for Soddy.

Audrey Norman

RCMS Soccer Coach