This was the game I was hoping to finish the regular season on, so you can imagine how hard I was rooting for both of these teams last week in the 3rd round games of the playoffs. I was also really excited to compare the atmosphere of an Alcoa game with that of a Maryville game. Both are huge Tennessee high school football powers and both look to be well on their way to another state championship this year. I was also a little nervous about using my press pass because of the small issues I have had at each of the Maryville games I have attended and also because I had exactly zero dollars in my wallet. Zenyatta pulled through again though, keeping me undefeated and running my money saved amount to $76. I had also remembered Alcoa doing some type of song during their warm ups at Maryville and wondered if it was just something for the Maryville game or something they did each week. Well I got my answer.
Don't know how much this actually helps, but 6 straight state titles speaks for itself I suppose.
Alcoa's defense was fired up from the opening whistle. On the first three plays alone, there was a sack, a stuffed run, and a near interception. With the temperature hanging in the low 40's I was hoping this would mean I would be able to leave early due to Alcoa racking up points at a blistering pace. CAK had to punt and the ball rolled to the 6 yard line before being downed. The bad field position caused the Tornadoes to punt and on the second play of their second drive, the Warrior's Quinn Epperly hooked up with Josh Smith for what seemed to be a 48 yard touchdown pass. However, an ineligible receiver down field penalty took those points off the board and CAK had to once again punt.
CAK's defense looked to be fired up as well. They wouldn't let Alcoa get anything going and after forcing the Tornadoes to punt, Josh Smith once again made a big play returning the punt 45 yards inside the Alcoa 5 yard line. This time a block in the back penalty on the Warriors was what negated the big run and once again CAK was their own worst enemy. The penalty was not as costly this time though, and Jordan Ritchie, under the coaching of former Vols kicker Jeff Hall, banged home a 19 yard field goal and gave CAK the lead to end the first ahead 3-0.
FTW
After beginning to establish a solid running game that gained the Tornadoes 4-6 yards a carry, Vanderbilt Hambrick broke free on a 63 yard touchdown run. Much like the previous two big plays for CAK, Alcoa's first big play was also brought back because of a block in the back penalty. The only difference this time was Alcoa ended up putting the points back on the board when Darrell Warren scored from 5 yards out to put Alcoa ahead 7-3. Alcoa forced another punt from CAK before the Tornado's Austin Tallant went for Steven Isom in the end zone, which would have put Alcoa ahead 14-3 before halftime. Charlie High made a great play on the ball however and intercepted the pass giving the Warriors the ball back with enough time to try and make something happen before half. CAK took a big shot down field and Quinn Epperly had a wide open Zach Mead streaking toward the end zone on a post pattern. The only problem was he dropped it. Alcoa led at halftime 7-3.
During the break, Alcoa recognized one of its most talented athletes by retiring his number 7 jersey. He was a four time state champion and seemingly held every record possible for Alcoa in football, as well as 2 state records in track and field. He now holds a large handful of offensive records for the University of Kentucky and is closing in on career marks for the Wildcats in only his third year on the field. As he was walking out to the 50 yard line to be honored, I must be honest, I was hoping he would step in a divot and severely sprain his ankle so he couldn't play next week, helping to add another honor to his resume, helping Kentucky snap a 25 game losing streak to the University of Tennessee.
Cobb probably never had to call out the Alcoa fans for not showing up to big games.
Alcoa received the ball to begin the second half and seemed to turn exclusively to Darrell Warren and Taharin Tyson on a drive that ate up close to 10 mins of the third quarter. A failed 4th down attempt gave the ball back to the Warriors but all they could do was punt. Alcoa's second drive of the half was much quicker after a 40 yard run from Vanderbilt Hambrick, and a few runs from Darrell Warren in which he impersonated a steam roller running over the safeties, set up a 16 yard touchdown run for Hambrick giving Alcoa a 14-3 lead. CAK was forced to punt on their ensuing drive and Alcoa began the 4th quarter with the ball and didn't give it back to CAK until there was only about 3 minutes left in the game. The Warriors threw four straight passes and each fell to the ground allowing Alcoa to just take a knee to finish the game, preserving the 14-3 win and assuring them a spot in the semifinals.
Meanwhile Maryville ended Devrin Young's high school career, beating the Bulldogs 52-20. Oak Ridge continued an impressive run in the post season, winning their 3rd straight road game against Riverdale after late TD gave them the 28-21 lead. This sets up another post season rematch next week where Oak Ridge will travel to Maryville, having to win their 4th straight road game in order to get to Cookeville. Hopefully Zenyatta has one more in her and can keep me undefeated on the year as I make my way back to Maryville to see who gets to play for the District 5A state championship.
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