Veteran Marion County football coach Dale Pruitt earned a milestone victory as Friday’s season-opening 47-0 win over Grundy County marked the 300th for his career.
“I know you’re not suppose to think about numbers, and I usually try not to, but this one is a big deal to me,” Pruitt said. “I’m just proud to have been around so many good people – kids who have played hard for me, other coaches and principals I have worked for. I owe a lot to high school football. The game has been good to our family.
“We had more talent and experience, but I was proud of the way our kids came out and got after them early and finished drives. It was a great team effort, but now we have to put it behind us and get ready for the next one.”
The Warriors wasted no time in taking command, scoring 34 first-half points. Dillon Fulmer blocked a punt and returned it for a first-quarter touchdown, and Rylee Rogers added a 30-yard scoring run early. Taye Hutchins scored on runs of 40 and 8 yards in the second quarter, then added another short scoring run in the second half and freshman Sam Pickett returned an interception 99 yards for a fourth-quarter score.
(READ MORE: Scores and photos from Friday night’s Chattanooga-area high school football games)
Silverdale Baptist Academy 42, Webb-Bell Buckle 6: The Seahawks outgained Webb 427-124 in total yards, led by senior running back Conner Delashmitt’s 15 carries for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Brett Rodgers, who also ran for a pair of scores, was 4-of-7 passing for 75 yards and a touchdown to Turner Junkins.
Baylor 35, Rabun Gap-Nacooches (Ga.) 21: The Red Raiders rode the momentum from a 21-point first quarter, highlighted by Dalton Restelli’s two touchdown atches. His first covered 68 yards from Cooper Wick, and the tandem hooked up again late in the opening quarter on a 25-yard score. Amari Jefferson caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Hugues Picard and also had a 19-yard scoring run. Caleb Hampton led Baylor with 154 rushing yards, and the Red Raiders forced two turnovers.
Bradley Central 33, Brainerd 6: The Bears needed a 12-play, 97-yard drive in the second quarter to take a six-point halftime lead, then got two defensive scores in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Marcus Goree Jr. and Tito Williams each returned interceptions for touchdowns, and Simon Mullis ran 20 times for 96 yards and a score for Bradley. Knox Watson and Rodney Williams each had seven tackles, and Blake Johnson had five stops, including 2.5 for loss for the Bears.
Boyd Buchanan 63, Greenback 0: The Buccaneers held the homestanding Cherokees to fewer than 50 total yards, and Jaylon Sandefer returned an interception for a touchdown. Brohns Donaldson returned a kickoff for a score and also had a touchdown catch, while Chase Berry, Mason Ratchford, Malachi Powell and Matt Stone all ran for scores and Caden Johnson caught a touchdown pass as the Bucs never punted.
South Pittsburg 35, Sequatchie County 7: New Pirates coach Chris Jones earned his first win at his alma mater as the visitors scored 28 unanswered points to pull away. The Pirates had two runners finish with more than 100 rushing yards, led by junior Jayden Mount’s 169 with one score, and De’Andre Kelly added 121 and two touchdowns, including one that covered 50 yards. Richard Hunter also connected with his twin brother Reginald on an 18-yard score, and the Pirates held the Indians scoreless over the last three quarters.
Meigs County 38, Sweetwater 8: Cam Huckabey ran back the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, and Jackson Shaver returned an interception 70 yards for the Tigers’ second score as they jumped out to a 14-0 lead before taking their first offensive snap.
Walker Valley 37, Notre Dame 0: Ryan Lay threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores, while Cole Harbison also ran for one and Kade Tjaarda caught a scoring toss. Myles Mann led the defense with five sacks, five tackles for loss and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Cumberland County 35, Whitwell 0: The Jets outrushed Whitwell 357-70 and forced three turnovers. Colin Brown ran for 274 yards and scored four times for Cumberland, and Tigers quarterback Brandon Easterly threw for 43 yards.
Alcoa 41, Rhea County 13: A 27-point scoring burst in the second quarter put the game away as Alcoa scored all of its points in the first half. Caden Buckles threw for 108 yards and a touchdown and also ran for three scores for the Tornadoes. Hunter Crowe ran for 115 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles.
Midway 42, Sale Creek 26: Despite totaling 307 yards, the Panthers fell on the road. Sale Creek quarterback Cam Penny completed 14 of 24 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, and Drew Hillian ran for 65 yards and a score. Midway scored four of its touchdowns through the air, passing for 144 yards.
Loudon 31, Soddy-Daisy 6: Loudon outgained the Trojans 463-281 in total yards despite Slater Hickman throwing for 244. Trevor Alexander finished with 100 receiving yards for Soddy-Daisy, which allowed two fourth-quarter scores that put the game away.
Signal Mountain 38, Hixson 0: Duncan Cannon threw for 162 yards and also ran for a touchdown, while Logan Farr added two rushing scores for the Eagles. Pete Sesterhenn returned a blocked punt 29 yards for a touchdown and also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score.
Grace Academy 54, Ezell-Harding 6: In eight-man football, the Eagles had no trouble from start to finish, jumping out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter and cruising to their second win of the season. Grace outgained Ezell-Harding 444-104, including 431 rushing yards. Quarterback Cooper Knecht ran 14 times for 237 yards and four scores, and Tyler Parrott added 88 yards and a pair of scores. Cole Mason led the Grace defense with five tackles, three for loss, and a sack.
Other area scores:
Bledsoe County 26, York Institute 24
McMinn County 27, McMinn Central 0
Campbell County 42, Central 24
Polk County 42, Copper Basin 19
Mt. Juliet Christian 52, Lookout Valley 8
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.