TJ Holmes and Anderson County power past East Hamilton for region title [photos]

Photo by Cade Deakin / Anderson County's Austin Elliot stretches to make a touchdown catch in the first half of Thursday night's game at East Hamilton. Photo by Cade Deakin / Anderson County's Austin Elliot stretches to make a touchdown catch in the first half of Thursday night's game at East Hamilton.

By Patrick MacCoon October 25, 2019 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Anderson County vs. East Hamilton

Photo by Cade Deakin/ The East Hamilton Hurricanes run onto the field. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Cade Meeks (14) runs down the field after receiving a pass. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Cade Meeks (14) is striped by Anderson Countyճ Josh Godwin Miller (2). The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Adam Caudle (15) dives into the end zone during the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ Anderson Countyճ Austin Elliot (6) makes a long catch. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Allen Karajic (88) makes an unsuccessful attempt to punt the ball out of the end zone and prevent a safety. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Haynes Eller (12) looks to pass in the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Adam Caudle (15) runs through an open hole in the Anderson County defense. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Conner Thornburg (4) runs down the field after catching a pass. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Kaunyae Burgees (18) makes a catch in the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ Anderson County Head Coach Davey Gillum is seen on the sidelines in the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Adam Caudle (15) runs for the end zone after catching a pass. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ Anderson Countyճ Austin Elliot (6) breaks up an interception attempt in the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ Anderson Countyճ running back (34) bullies his way into the end zone during the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Head Coach Grant Reynolds is seen on the sidelines during the first half. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

Photo by Cade Deakin/ East Hamiltonճ Adam Caudle (15) recovers an Anderson County fumble early in the first quarter. The Anderson County Mavericks visited the East Hamilton Hurricanes in TSSAA football action on October 24, 2019.

After losing three first-half fumbles Thursday night at East Hamilton, Anderson County pitched a second-half shutout while TJ Holmes powered his way between the tackles for 142 of his 201 rushing yards.

The stocky Holmes would not be denied as he carried the ball 38 times and scored three touchdowns in a 29-14 win to seal the third-ranked Mavericks’ third straight Region 2-4A title and fifth overall.

“This football program is really hard-working,” Holmes said. “After fumbling early I wanted to prove I wasn’t going to let my team down. I wanted to be the dude. I wasn’t in the first half, but I pulled it together.”

Knowing they would be going up against a formidable front, the Hurricanes pried the ball loose early, recovering the ball in the opponents’ territory each time.

East Hamilton senior Adam Caudle continued to display his nose for the end zone as he stumbled but regained control to break tackles for the first score of the game on a 9-yard touchdown run up the gut.