After four consecutive wins, East Ridge football coach Tim James wasn't thrilled to see an open date on the schedule last week.
While it gave his Pioneers an opportunity to recover from early-season nicks, James was concerned some momentum would be lost in the process. And for the better part of the first half Friday night, his assessment was dead on the money.
But East Ridge demonstrated a level of resilience and grit he hadn't seen up to this point in the home game against Signal Mountain. The Pioneers marched 65 yards to remain unbeaten, downing the Eagles 21-17 at Raymond James Stadium on Kentrell Harris' 2-yard run with 36 seconds remaining.
"I hate off weeks," James said. "We didn't respond real well to the week off and felt like we didn't come ready to play. I thought Signal Mountain had a heck of a game plan against us both sides of the football. We fought our tails off for 48 minutes, and I feel fortunate to get out of here with a win."
Signal Mountain (1-5) took the lead with 7:34 remaining in the game on Travion Williams' second touchdown reception from Tom Vatter, this one covering 16 yards to put the Eagles in front 17-14.
The Pioneers (5-0) took possession on the deciding drive at their own 35, and their offensive line began to create some running room. Bennett had five carries on the march, including a crucial 5-yard burst on third down at the Eagles 7.
The crucial play of the series occurred when quarterback Eric Bennett found Eli King on a 15-yard completion one play after a holding penalty negated a long run, and a personal-foul penalty on Signal Mountain tacked on an additional 15 yards.
"I was very proud of our kids for the poise we showed on that drive. That's what we're capable of when we settle down and do what were coached to do. Our offensive line took over when we needed it most," James said.
The Eagles managed to get the ball near midfield on their final attempt, only to have Vatter's desperation heave fall harmlessly to the turf to end the contest.
But James was concerned that Williams, who hauled in a 57-yard strike from Vatter to open the second half and dropped another sure touchdown toss later in the third, would somehow get behind his defense.
"I didn't want to see No. 5 (Williams) get the ball in his hands. He's an explosive athlete and Vatter is a great quarterback. Somehow we're 5-0 and we'll take it even though it wasn't very pretty," James said.
Scott Payne's 27-yard second-quarter field goal opened the scoring for Signal Mountain to cap an 11-play drive in which the Eagles penetrated to the Pioneers' 5.
After squandering an earlier scoring opportunity inside the Signal Mountain 7, East Ridge rolled the dice to take the lead at intermission. On fourth-and-2 from the Eagles' 5, Bennett connected with King on the first of two touchdown hookups with 16 seconds left to give the Pioneers a 7-3 lead.
Contact Paul Payne at sports@timesfreepress.com