’Cats offense rises to the occasion
Oak Ridge solidifies region standing with win over Karns
Oak Ridge High School senior running back Jai Hundley had a monster game against Karns Friday night. The all world talent rushed 12 times for 157 yards and four touch- downs. And in the end, he was proud of his offensive line. (photo:Chad Steed Photography )
Running backs DeJauvis Dozier and Jai Hundley combined for more than 300 rushing yards to help the Wildcats topple Karns 56-28 in a key Region 3-5A showdown Thursday, on Senior Night, at Blankenship Field.
Hundley had 157 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries while Dozier carried the ball 16 times, amassing 148 yards and scoring three times on the ground. He was also a weapon in the passing game for Oak Ridge (4-4 overall, 3-1 in the region) as he had two receptions for 62 yards. He also scored a 52-yard screen pass that gave the Wildcats a 42-28 lead with lead with 3 minutes, 28 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Hundley was relieved after last week’s game that avenged a loss to the Beavers (6-3, 2-2) in 2021.
“I’m just glad we executed tonight,” Hundley said. “I’m extremely proud of our (offensive) line and proud of the way we executed.”
The win gave the Wildcats sole possession of second place in the Region 3-5A standings. They’ll close the 2022 campaign with a pair of road games. ORHS will travel to Kingsport to face Class 6A powerhouse Dobyns-Bennett Friday night. The season finale will be a region tilt at Campbell County, with a win over the Cougars clinching second place and a home game in the first round of the playoffs.
“We took a big step forward towards getting a home game in the playoffs,” Oak Ridge coach Scott Cummings said. “I think we felt a sense of urgency and we were more physical on offense.
“Hopefully, we’ll take another big step in Kingsport next week. It will be a great environment.”
While Hundley and Dozier carried the bulk of the offensive load for the Wildcats against Karns, Oak Ridge also picked up a solid performance from junior quarterback Ethan Garza, who went 12-for-18 and compiled 207 yards and threw a touchdown pass. He also lofted an interception for the Wildcats, who went three-and-out on their first possession.
The Wildcats, who never trailed in the contest, took a 7-0 lead when Dozier scored on a 3-yard run later in the first quarter. Dozier extended ORHS’s advantage to 13-0 with 11:50 remaining in the second stanza with a 38-yard scoring scamper. David Wilson added the extra point to make it 14-0.
The Beavers pulled to within 14-7 when senior running back DeSean Bishop, a Coastal Carolina commitment, rumbled 85 yards for a touchdown a short time later.
Bishop had another monster performance Thursday night as he carried 28 times for 213 yards and scored all four of the Beavers’ touchdowns, including two before halftime.
Hundley had two touchdowns in the first half and gave the Wildcats a 28-14 lead at the break on a 20-yard scoring dash with one minute remaining in the second frame.
Karns opened the third quarter by successfully executing an onsides kick. Bishop scored one play later as he ran 42 yards to make it 28-21.
The Beavers never got any closer as Hundley answered with a 9-yard scoring run a short time later before Brandon Heyward added a two-point conversion to make it 36-21 at the 10:20 mark of the third quarter.
After the Beavers blocked a punt, Bishop scored on a short plunge to make it 36-28.
Hundley scored two more touchdowns before Dozier closed the scoring with a 15-yard run midway through the final stanza.
Despite the loss, Karns coach Brad Taylor was pleased with the way his team competed.
“(The Wildcats) are a good team and they got a bunch of people back who have been banged up,” Taylor said. “They played well, particularly on offense.
“We could’ve made a few more plays but we had a lot of guys who competed well.”
And then there’s Campbell County
The 2022 high school football season has entered its home stretch and Oak Ridge High School has had its share of injuries during the campaign, the first with Scott Cummings as head coach.
The Wildcats, however, outlasted Karns, 56-28, last week in their final regular-season home game at Blankenship Field.
With Thursday’s victory over the Beavers (6-3 overall, 2-2 in Region 3-5A), Oak Ridge (4-4, 3-1) could finish second in the league with a win at Campbell County on Oct. 28 in the regular-season finale for both schools.
A second-place in the region would net the Wildcats a first-round home playoff game.
Oak Ridge travels to Kingsport to face Dobyns-Bennett Friday in a non-region tilt between a pair of longtime rivals.
