Tyner Rams rout Red Bank Lions for Turner's 200th win

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Willie Stewart admitted that he was a little nervous about dumping a bucket of water over Tyner coach Wayne Turner Friday night. Little did he know that Turner did not mind -- not on this night, at least.

Not one bit.

Stewart had a hand in five touchdowns as the Rams romped to a 49-14 victory over Red Bank for Turner's 200th career victory. The win also gave Tyner second place in District 6-AA, earning a playoff spot that seemed unlikely a month ago when two wins were stripped for using an ineligible player.

Stewart teamed with Jarrett Watson to pour water over Turner.

"They shouldn't have done that to me. I'm too old for all of that," a smiling Turner said. "I told them after the game that the most important thing about tonight was that they showed how resilient they were, especially being in some adverse situations."

Tyner (4-6, 4-2) jumped to a 14-0 lead on a 17-yard pass from Stewart to quarterback Hassan Miller. The latter then resumed his normal position and completed a 39-yard strike to C.J. Ryals, but the Lions rallied as Michael Robinson darted for a 63-yard touchdown run. Red Bank then tied the game on a 6-yard touchdown run by Darius Akridge four minutes into the second quarter.

"We've been having lackadasical moments every game. Why they happen I don't know, and I don't know when they'll happen," Turner said. "I do know we've got to get out of that habit, because we can't afford to make those mistakes going into the playoffs."

After allowing the tie, the Rams rebounded to score the next 35 points, as Stewart ran for a pair of scores, caught a pass from Miller, then returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown. Jaylen Grimes finished the scoring by recovering a punt in the end zone.

"We haven't played a four-quarter game yet. I think we took it light on them for a while, but we focused and got the win," Stewart said. "It meant a lot to us to help Coach Turner get his 200th win. Now we get to come out Monday and start getting ready for the playoffs."

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.