Austin Fugate heads downfield on a run after catch in the Rhea vs Red Bank Game on 8/21/26.(Photo:GaryBolden)

Friday, August 21, 2026 Evensville, Tennessee

Rhea County Football welcomed Red Bank to Bill Horton Field to open the season for 2026. From the opening kickoff, Red Bank took control of the game with a return down inside the five by Red Bank's Marcus Jones on the opening kickoff. Quarterback Shawn Carter scored on a one-yard run and kick was good. Carter scored again after an 80-yard catch by Dominic Gordon, for the 13-0 win but kick was no good. On the ensuing kickoff, Eagles fumbles and Red Bank had the ball on the Eagles' 24 with 13-0 lead. Eagles forced a fumble and Eagles were back into the game. Jaxton Schmitt brought the Eagles back with a touchdown run and 2-point conversion to cut lead to 13-8 with about 9 minutes left until halftime. Before halftime with 4:23 on the clock, Schmitt found Donegan for short touchdown run and extra point puts Eagles in front 15-13 and the score was 15-13 at the halftime juncture.

Rhea County took the second half kickoff and ran the ball down the field with a lot of Jaxton Schmitt mixed in with the running backs and it was Schmitt with the 5-yard run for the touchdown. The kick was good and Eagles had 22-13 led with 4:20 left in third quarter. Red Bank quarterback Austin Jones then showed his two-way versatility as he brought the Lions down the field for a touchdown to cut the gap to 22-21 after the conversion.

In the 4th quarter, Fugate had the big interception at midfield to give the ball back to the Eagles and they converted for a 29-21 lead with Fugate touchdown. Red Bank came back for late touchdown to close gap to 29-27. Eagles kept the ball on the ground and drove the ball deep into Red Bank territory as the game ended with the hard-earned win by Rhea County.

Head coach Taylor Harvey said, "We did not panic and the guys hung in there to fight back for a big win vs a really talented Red Bank team.  I am proud of our guys and our staff for trusting each other and getting them into the fourth quarter to come out on top. Our guys had grit to get down early and pull it out."

• Highlights from Red Bank Game:
• Offense - Schmitt 5/10 for 22 yards and a TD, 17 car for 105 yards and 2 TD. 
• Defense - Zeke Romero had 6 solo, 3 Asst, 2 Sacks, 1 TFL, and 1 FF, Austin Fugate with interception