East Ridge got big performances from its defense and a reserve quarterback Friday night as it defeated East Hamilton 21-13 in the Region 2-4A opener for both teams at East Hamilton.
The Pioneers’ defense harassed East Hamilton all night. It had a shutout going until the Hurricanes scored on Sam Randolph’s 23-yard touchdown reception from Jared Price with 4:24 to play.
Linebacker Lorenzo Stewart, who often got running starts in an effort to time the snap counts, set the tone on the game’s first play when he not only made the tackle on running back Devontay Tipton but lifted him high in the air before completing the play. Although Tipton managed to gain 2 yards, Stewart led the Pioneers in tackles in the backfield with lineman Darian Smith not far behind.
East Ridge coach Tim James credited defensive coordinator Lebron Williams for devising a good game plan. He also said he thought the execution was good, for the most part.
“They caught us with the reverse twice. We didn’t stay at home,” James said of plays that went to Jhaeden Smith for gains of 11 and 19 yards. “Then they got us on the go route in a one-on-one situation for a touchdown. But I’d say we stopped it eight out of 10 times.”