It’s no secret that perseverance is a requirement for any high school football team trying to beat Polk County this year. And East Ridge persevered Friday night.
The Pioneers withstood the Wildcats’ bullish attack offensively, found a little offensive success themselves behind quarterback Jo Jo Tillery and outlasted Polk County 20-19 at East Ridge.
“This is a program kind of win,” East Ridge coach Tracy Malone said. “Every now and then if you’re going to be good, you need to beat somebody you’re not supposed beat. Nobody in East Tennessee believed we were going to win this game, but 50 kids and nine coaches believed.”
The Pioneers led at halftime despite Polk County having 37 plays from scrimmage to their 18. But Tillery, who had 86 yards on 18 carries, scored on a 1-yard run 14 seconds before halftime and Tad Whitaker’s second extra point made it 14-13.
East Ridge, (2-2) however, fumbled on the second-half kickoff return and the first play afterward fullback Zach Miller blasted through the middle for a 45-yard touchdown run. But the Wildcats’ conversion run failed, which ultimately proved to be costly.