Soddy-Daisy quarterback Gavin Chambers tries to gain control of the football before handing off to running back Ty Boeck during Friday's game at East Hamilton. The Trojans went on to beat the Hurricanes 49-7.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Soddy-Daisy took out four years of football frustration against East Hamilton on Friday.
After the Hurricanes scored the game’s opening touchdown, the Trojans reeled off seven straight scores, including three interceptions for TDs, and raced to a convincing 49-7 victory before a capacity crowd at Larry Henry Stadium.
East Hamilton had won all four previous meetings and the most points Soddy-Daisy scored in a single game was 27 three years ago.
“We knew we hadn’t beaten them before,” said Soddy-Daisy’s Brandon Davis, who accounted for four touchdowns, two on the ground and two on interception returns.
“We wanted to get some revenge on them this year.”
The 49 points are the third-most given up by East Hamilton in a game since it began playing football in 2009. The Hurricanes allowed 58 points to Tyner in 2009; 49 to Signal Mountain the same season and 51 against Ooltewah in 2015.
“We played about as well as we could honestly,” Soddy-Daisy coach Justin Barnes said. “Other than the first drive of each half we were able to do what we needed to do, and we physically controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage.”
It was Soddy-Daisy’s second straight win to open the season. The Trojans beat Red Bank 35-32 last week. After beating Signal Mountain 36-31 to open the season, Friday’s loss dropped the Hurricanes to 1-1.
And they fell hard.
Davis, a senior running back, did most of the damage by dividing four touchdowns between offense and defense. Davis rushed for two TDs on runs of 55 and 8 yards and had interception returns of 40 and 93 yards for scores.
“That’s the best I’ve done since I scored six times against Central last year,” Davis said. “I ran for four touchdowns and scored on two kickoff returns. I put in a lot of work in the offseason because I wanted to grind and get better so I can play in college. I’m trying to make the best of my senior year.”
Said Barnes of Davis’ superb performance: “Brandon had a heck of a night with two rushing touchdowns and two pick-six’s. He’s a great player for us and we always want to get him the ball as much as possible. If (East Hamilton) will give it to him a couple of times, that’s even better.”
Hayden Maynor contributed a 6-yard rushing TD and had the Trojans’ third pick-six of the game that covered 47 yards.
Ty Boeck scored on a 26-yard run.
“We have three guys back there who complement each other and we feel comfortable with each one of them,” Barnes said. “They all do something different. Ty’s the best overall guy; Brandon has legitimate speed and Hayden is a hard, tough runner inside.
“And the offensive line did a great job dominating their front line tonight.”
Soddy-Daisy rushed for 246 yards against the Hurricanes. Boeck led the way with 104 yards on 11 carries. Davis added 103 yards on nine tries and Maynor had 31 yards on six carries.
Drako Wise started the game’s scoring with a 6-yard run. The play was set up by a 41 yard pass from Jared Price to Sam Randolph and capped a six-play, 60-yard drive with 8:04 left in the first quarter
The Trojans then reeled off 49 straight points.
East Hamilton didn’t find the end zone again until Devontay Tipton bolted 79 yards for a touchdown with 11 minutes left in the game. That accounted for a huge chunk of the Hurricanes’ ground attack.
“We were able to make plays offensively and defensively,” Barnes said. “You have to give our defense a large amount of credit. It seemed like it was always third-and-long for East Hamilton and we got the three interceptions for touchdowns.”
SCORING
Soddy-Daisy 14 21 14 0 – 49
East Hamilton 7 0 0 7 – 14
First Quarter
EH – Drako Wise 6 run (Mason Lafollette kick), 8:04
SD – Hayden Maynor 6 run (Cooper Hamilton kick), 6:21
SD – Ty Boeck 26 run (Hamilton kick), 2:47
Second Quarter
SD – Brandon Davis 40 interception return (Hamilton kick), 6:52
SD – Davis 55 run (Hamilton kick), 2:36
SD – Maynor 47 interception return (Hamilton kick), 1:20
Third Quarter
SD – Davis 8 run (Hamilton kick), 3:11
SD – Davis 93 interception return (Hamilton kick), 41.6
Fourth Quarter
EH – Devontay Tipton 79 run (Lafollette kick), 11:00
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)