Dozier’s runs and stingy defense key for ‘Road Warriors’ ’Cats
Oak Ridge’s Vashawn Nalls puts a hit on a Bobcat runner during Friday night’s game in Fountain City. Wildcat Elijah Bradley (51) got the initial hit, then Nalls finished it off in Oak Ridge’s 42-21 win. (photo:Ken Leinart )
After opening the season with two home games against Jefferson County and Powell, with an open date in between, the Wildcats (5-1) are in the midst of a five-game road game swing.
That will finally come to an end after Oak Ridge tangles with Farragut (2-4) Friday night.
But playing in front of a hostile crowd didn’t seem to bother the Wildcats much on this night, as they scored on all three of their first-half possessions against the Bobcats (4-3).
“In the first half, we scored three times on three possessions, so that was pretty good,” Oak Ridge Coach Derek Rang said.
“Our defense was good in the first half, and we were up 21-7.
“In the second half, they controlled the ball a little bit. For us, it’s about playing a full game, playing four quarters and staying focused for the whole game.”
The Bobcats took the opening kickoff and engineered a solid drive, but would be forced to punt. They regained possession of the ball after Oak Ridge fumbled and Central recovered on the ORHS 26-yard line.
Central, however, couldn’t capitalize and came away empty when Devin Cole missed a 33-yard field goal try.
Oak Ridge would go 80 yards on its first possession that was capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by DeJauvis Dozier.
Eli Pearson added the extra point to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter.
It would be the first of four touchdown runs for Dozier, who rushed for 191 yards on 21 carries.
After Central tied the game in the second stanza on a touchdown pass from Sammy Myers to Daniel Sackie, Dozier’s 3-yard run made it 14-7 midway through the frame.
He would add a one-yard scoring plunge just before halftime to make it 21-7.
Central would pull to within 21-14 with 4 minutes, 54 seconds left in the third frame when Myers connected with Donte Strickland on a long scoring strike that covered 57 yards.
Dozier’s 2-yard scoring plunge a short time later helped Oak Ridge re-establish control and regain a 14-point advantage.
From there, the Wildcats would pull away as Blaine Stansberry had two second-half touchdown passes, including one to Will Pressley, which made it 35-14.
He would later throw another TD pass to Malik Howard before Central closed out the scoring with a late touchdown.
Next up: The Wildcats will hit the road for the fifth consecutive week as they play Farragut (2-4) at Bill Clabo Field in West Knox County.
Oak Ridge will look to avenge last year’s 24-0 loss to the Admirals.