MARSHALL COUNTY 17, EAST HAMILTON 7
The star: Josh Franklin ran just seven times but gained 95 yards, including a first-series 71-yard run that set up the Tigers’ first TD in their 17-7 win.Up next: Marshall County will visit the Greeneville-Knox Catholic winner in the Class 4A semifinals.
It was fitting that the game's final play found East Hamilton quarterback Nick Woods on his backside, sacked for the sixth time in a 17-7 loss Friday to visiting Marshall County.
As well as Woods' defensive mates played, Marshall County's defense was even better. The Tigers, whose last visit here in 2012 resulted in a smashing setback, got to Woods six times for 49 lost yards, but they also stymied the Hurricanes twice inside their own 30 and turned away East Hamilton at the 1 on the final play of the second period.
"They did some things that caused us to let some opportunities get away. They're a well-coached team," said coach Ted Gatewood, whose Hurricanes (8-5) surprised more than a few by getting to this quarterfinal. "You can't miss those opportunities. They come few and far between in a game like this. They had great pressure. They brought pressure with their line and with their linebackers, and we didn't respond well."
The Tigers scored on their first possession, sophomore Kamron Hightower scoring from 5 yards out after a 71-yard run by Josh Franklin. The score came with 8:16 left in the first period and appeared to signal the makings out a rout.
However, Marshall County (12-1), one of the state's highest-scoring Class 4A squads, immediately found itself in a deadlock thanks to a three-play drive highlighted by Woods' pass down the middle to Jeffrey Coleman.
The Hurricanes had a shot at their first lead, but a 28-yard field-goal kick with 4:40 to play in the first period sailed wide right.
Marshall County, with a relentless offense featuring a hefty line and a multitude of backs, went up less than a minute into the second period on Hightower's second TD, this one from a yard out. The Tigers closed out the scoring with 5:53 left in the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal from left-footed kicker Caleb Estes.
It wasn't as if East Hamilton didn't have its chances, but the swarming Tigers defense simply overwhelmed the Hurricanes.
"They won it in the trenches on their defensive side," Gatewood agreed.
East Hamilton was limited to five first downs and, counting sack yardage, finished with minus-1 rushing yards and just 102 yards of offense.
"We were trying to move to the next step, and we just didn't have the bullets in the gun to take that step," Gatewood said.
The Hurricanes defenders played well, giving up just the one long run, and gave ground grudgingly. Michael Bush and Frankie Campo contributed interceptions of Ashton Posey. The Mr. Football finalist completed 14 of 18 passes but was sacked three times in addition to the two pickoffs. He ran six times for 31 yards and had just 125 passing yards.
"I'm so proud of our defense. That (Marshall County) bunch has been lighting up the scoreboard all year," Gatewood said.
"We gave 110 percent and played our hearts out. Some plays didn't go our way," said safety and linebacker Campo. "They throw a lot of formations at you and try to trick you, but their running backs and quarterback played well. They have a bunch of really good athletes."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.