Pounders enter the field.
photo by John Graeber
The Golden Eagles of Rhea County used over 550 yards of total offense to hand Chattanooga Central another defeat Friday.
The game started slowly for the Golden Eagles when a fumble cost them a possession deep in Central territory. They promptly recovered a Central fumble four plays later, however, and big #22, Justin Hilliard, went to work from the Pounders' 18 yard line, eventually punching it over the goal line from the one. Quickly the Golden Eagles were out in front 7-0.
On the first play from scrimmage on their next possession, after forcing Central to punt, Golden Eagles quarterback Caleb Wilson threw a dart to wide receiver Casey McKinnon, who cut across the field, found the corner, and dashed down the left sideline 83 yards for another score. It was the beginning of a long night for Central.
The Pounders had no answer for a Golden Eagles team that seemed to have all of them. At times the only thing stopping Rhea County were the flags that littered the field throughout the game. On one drive the Golden Eagles' quarterback, Caleb Wilson, scrambled behind the line of scrimmage, bouncing off his own offensive linemen before picking up a nice gain, connected on a big gain with a high-flying Josh Rector, and another with a diving James Capps, only to have all three plays called back on penalties and face a 3rd and 46 from the Rhea County 44 yard line.
The Golden Eagles found plenty of other opportunities however and put the ball in the endzone, scoring on a 46 yard touchdown run by running back Justin Pritchett, a 21 yard scramble by quarterback Wilson, and a 23 yard pass that Wilson floated over a defender to a wide open Josh Rector. Even backup quarterback Justin Hackler got into the act, selling a brilliant fake to the Pounder defense and taking off in the other direction on a 38 yard touchdown run.
The Golden Eagles racked up just over 300 yards through the air, including 297 yards by Caleb Wilson, and 140 yards receiving by wide receiver Casey McKinnon. They added 249 yards rushing to balance out their offensive attack.
Central was not without bright spots for the evening. Their quarterback Mikos Norman showed flashes of brilliance, especially when he connected on a 31 yard bomb to Kyle Pulliam, who made a spectacular catch at the Golden Eagles' 34 yard line. The Pounder defense also prevented an additional touchdown by forcing a fumble at their goal line. In the end it seemed that just as the Pounders sensed momentum shifting their way either a costly penalty or turnover would snatch it away.
Central drops to 1-6 and travels next week to White County. Rhea County imroves to 3-4 and hosts region power Red Bank next week.
Scoring Summary:
Golden Eagles: 1 yard touchdown run by Justin Hilliard, PAT good.
Golden Eagles: 83 yard touchdown pass from Caleb Wilson to Casey McKinnon, PAT good.
Golden Eagles: 25 yard touchdown run by Caleb Wilson, PAT good.
Golden Eagles: 46 yard touchdown run by Justin Pritchett, PAT good.
Golden Eagles: 23 yard touchdown pass from Caleb Wilson to Josh Rector, PAT good.
Golden Eagles: 38 yard touchdown run by Justin Hackler, no PAT attempt.