Penalties hamper effort against Powell
Wildcat Braden Heyward shakes loose from a Powell defender Friday night at PHS — the Wildcats and Panthers played in a key Region 3-5A matchup. (photo:Chad Steed Photography )
The Wildcats had 12 penalties and multiple turnovers in a 30-14 loss to defending Class 5A state champion Powell Friday night on homecoming at Scarbro Stadium.
“We’re working to get rid of the penalties. As a head coach, they’re embarrassing,” Oak Ridge first-year head Coach Scott Cummings said. “We’re still learning, but this is Game 6 and that has to stop.”
The Wildcats (3-3 overall, 2-1 in the region) and Panthers were locked in a defensive struggle over the first 24 minutes of the contest. Powell (5-2, 3-0) had a slim 10-7 advantage at the half as Dylan Stooksbury kicked a 37-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter.
The Panthers, who have now won five consecutive games and are the only team to have an unblemished record in the league, took a 7-0 lead when Connor Wheeler scored on a 53-yard touchdown scamper. Stooksbury added the extra point to give Powell a 7-0 lead with 4 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Oak Ridge would respond a short time later and would tie the game when Jai Hundley had an 11-yard scoring dash late in the opening frame.
The defenses took center stage for the remainder of the first half. The teams slugged through the second quarter, and Powell would break the tie on the final play before halftime.
Cummings lauded the play of the Wildcats’ defense.
“I thought the defense played well except for a few big plays,” he said.
The Panthers pulled away with a pair of unanswered touchdowns in the third stanza. Powell senior quarterback Jordyn Potts, a Tennessee Tech commitment, threw two scoring strikes in the quarter.
Potts connected with Adarius Redmond, a Division I prospect, from 37 yards out to extend the Panthers’ advantage to 17-7. Potts would later find Gianni Magdos on a 42-yard pass to make it 24-7.
Potts, who was 16-for-26 for 226 yards, made it 30-7 with a 17-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats closed the scoring with three seconds remaining in the game. Junior quarterback Ethan Garza, making his first start for Oak Ridge, threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to VaShawn Nalls.
Nalls caught the pass after it was deflected by a Powell defender.
Next up for the Wildcats: Things won’t get much easier for Oak Ridge this week. The Wildcats will host Class 4A powerhouse Greeneville Friday at Blankenship Field.
