CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Rarely can a football coach talk about how well his defense played after it gave up 379 yards of total offense, but the mentality for the Cleveland High School defense Friday night was simple: Bend but don’t break.
The Blue Raiders forced Rhea County into two early field goals in the red zone, then came up with interceptions on the final two passes. That plus 205 yards rushing from senior Jamarcus Mobley was enough for the home team to claim a 33-25 victory over the Golden Eagles in a key District 5-AAA game at Raider Field.
Cleveland sacked Rhea quarterback Cameron Tallent three times and made just enough plays to improve to 4-0 in the district and 5-3 overall. Rhea is 3-5 overall and 3-2 in the district.
Raider coach E.K. Slaughter praised his defensive line afterward.
“We gave up too many yards, but our defensive line was a difference-maker,” he said. “That guy doesn’t get sacked; he moves around and extends plays, but our guys stayed in pursuit and got to him a few times.”
Cleveland also won despite 11 penalties for 90 yards, but Rhea had the two interceptions and also fumbled on two kickoffs, both of which Cleveland converted into touchdowns.
“We made too many mistakes, and they were of our own doing,” Rhea coach Jason Fitzgerald said.
A fumble on the opening kickoff was recovered by the Raiders’ Logan Delk, and Cleveland capitalized, needing three plays to score from 17 yards out. Quarterback Chad Voytik finished the drive with a 1-yard plunge.
Rhea twice marched downfield in the first quarter, both times settling for field goals. The Golden Eagles took a 12-7 lead in the second quarter when Tallent found Chris Johnson from 18 yards out, but Cleveland responded with a nine-play drive. Mobley carried six times, including the final from 10 yards out, to regain the lead.
Cleveland added a score, recovering another fumble on the kickoff, and Voytik found B.J. Davis for a 20-12 lead before halftime.
The teams traded scores in the second half. Rhea did cut the lead to 27-25, but Mobley had a 43-yard run on the Raiders’ next drive and Voytik and Davis hooked up again – this time from 7 yards out.
Rhea then threatened with five minutes to go, but defensive lineman Justin Williams made a diving pick on a pass tipped by teammate Camden Bell. Then Marquis Davis picked off Tallent to effectively end the game.
“The offensive line did a good job, which was tough considering Rhea loaded the box,” Slaughter said. “We had some issues with penalties, but the kids never let that affect them. They were solid throughout and pushed through.”