Knowing they would need more offensive fireworks for a deep playoff run, Ooltewah's football coaches decided to light the fuse on a 5-foot-11, 185-pound package of dynamite, stand back and enjoy the show.
For much of the regular season the coaching staff dramatically limited the offensive touches for senior Rashun Freeman, a decision made in hopes of keeping the all-state defensive back healthy and ensure fresh legs for the postseason.
But after the offense struggled in an upset loss at Cleveland, it was time to prime Freeman for an expanded role.
Ooltewah's Rashun Freeman (11) breaks free for one of his two first half touchdowns. The Oak Ridge Wildcats visited the Ooltewah Owls in the second round of the TSSAA 5A football playoffs on Friday 13, 2015."The coaches let me know before our last regular-season game that they needed me to play more on both sides of the ball, and that was just fine with me," said Freeman, who has had nearly half the number of touches for the season in the last three weeks, averaging just over 100 yards of offense and scoring nine touchdowns, all while continuing to be a defensive leader.
"The plan worked out perfect because I'm fresh and ready to go out and try to make big plays on both sides now."
Freeman's added workload began against Walker Valley in week 10, a game the Owls had to win to claim the region title and the postseason home-field advantage that came with it. He responded by rushing 20 times for 101 yards and five touchdowns, including two in overtime periods, in a one-point victory.
Although he wasn't needed as much in a 19-point first-round win over Clinton, he still scored twice and his presence on the field alone was enough to create more one-on-one chances for teammates. Then last week he scored the Owls' first two TDs, on a 46-yard run and a 13-yard pass reception, to kick-start a 17-0 first-quarter lead that eventually became an insurmountable 20-0. He finished with all but 30 of the team's rushing yards and caught seven passes for another 75 yards.
"He's a dynamic playmaker, and the thing that really makes him special is his versatility," said Owls coach Mac Bryan. "He's so important for us defensively, and we just didn't want to wear him out. But now it's the playoffs so you do whatever it takes to move on and he makes a huge difference for us whether he lines up in the backfield or splits out at receiver.
"He's talented enough to have scholarship offers on both sides of the ball from several different colleges. We were pretty balanced on offense but the one thing we were missing were more big plays. People have to know where he is at all times because he's so explosive, he can hurt you real quick."
Freeman remains a key to an Owls defense that ranks among the best in the state. He's taken two of his four interceptions back for touchdowns, ranks among the team's leading tacklers and is the one player coaches rely on to make sure the entire unit is lined up correctly.
"When I talked to him about playing more on offense, I reminded him that he couldn't let up on defense because that's what we hang our hat on," Owls offensive coordinator Drew Akins said. "He's been just as consistent over there and really adds something to our offense we didn't have without him. It's a lot of fun to call plays for a guy you know could take it the distance on any snap."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.