Porter powers Oak Ridge past Clinton
Malik Howard (3, junior) catches a pass for Oak Ridge in the game against Clinton Friday night. (photo:Kirah Colston | ORHS Sports Media )
“This is a big game for us,” Oak Ridge defensive lineman Tobji Watters said after the Wildcats defeated the Dragons 42-13 on Friday night at Dragon Stadium.
“This game is always big, and I still remember when they knocked us out of the playoffs my sophomore year,” he said.
Clinton (0-1) won’t see Oak Ridge in November, as the Wildcats moved up to Class 6A this season. But the roots of the rivalry remain strong.
Clinton wide receiver Bryson Maddox, who caught a touchdown pass for the Dragons, and Oak Ridge wideout Will Pressley have long had their own personal competition.
“I’ve played against Bryson since I was a kid, and he’s a great player,” Pressley said. “We always like to play against each other.”
Pressley hauled in two touchdown passes from quarterback Blaine Stansberry.
The first came in the second quarter to extend Oak Ridge’s lead to 21-0 with 7 minutes, 30 seconds left in the half.
The duo struck again on a 60-yard scoring pass with 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Running back Damillyan Porter tore through the Clinton defense, rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries.
He opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 56-yard burst, and added a 49-yard score in the second quarter.
Porter capped Oak Ridge’s night with a 37-yard touchdown run midway through the third period.
The Wildcats (2-0) also scored on special teams when Adam Washington scooped up a Clinton onside kick and raced 65 yards to the end zone.
“I just took the ball and started running,” Washington said. “I was just trying not to get caught.”
The victory was the first for Oak Ridge Coach Derek Rang in Clinton. The Wildcats faced some uncertainty entering the game, since Clinton’s Week 1 opener against Heritage was declared a no contest because of inclement weather.
“We didn’t know a lot because they didn’t play a full game last week,” Rang said. “We knew that Maddox was a great player. We came over here ready to play, and I think our offensive line really took control.”
Clinton’s first touchdown came on a 10-yard run late in the second quarter.
Next up for Oak Ridge is a trip to Lenoir City on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Panthers (1-1) are coming off a loss to Loudon last week.
