DECATUR, Tenn. – Maybe it was the fact that Meigs County running back Will Meadows was facing another Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist.
Maybe it was the fact that the Tigers had heard that their opponent in the TSSAA Class 2A state quarterfinals, South Greene, had made proclamations that the Rebels would be able to come to Decatur and score at will against a defense that struggled last week.
Either way, the home team was ready to play from the start of Friday night’s matchup of 12-0 teams, with Meigs County winning 42-14 to remain unbeaten, end the Rebels’ season and advance to next week’s semifinals. The Tigers will visit Trousdale County, which improved to 11-2 with Friday’s 21-13 win against Watertown.
As for Meigs’ level of preparation for the Rebels, it was evident on the game’s second play from scrimmage, when Cameron Huckabey sliced through the visitors’ offensive line to tackle South Greene’s Luke Myers for a loss. It showed again on Meigs’ first possession, when offensive lineman Hunter Brown pancaked a defender 20 yards downfield.
And it was made completely clear by the 29-0 halftime score, highlighted by four of Meadows’ six touchdowns.