Knowing they would need more offensive fireworks for a deep playoff run, Ooltewah’s football coaches decided to light the fuse on a 5-foot-11, 185-pound package of dynamite, stand back and enjoy the show.
For much of the regular season the coaching staff dramatically limited the offensive touches for senior Rashun Freeman, a decision made in hopes of keeping the all-state defensive back healthy and ensure fresh legs for the postseason.
But after the offense struggled in an upset loss at Cleveland, it was time to prime Freeman for an expanded role.
Ooltewah’s Rashun Freeman (11) breaks free for one of his two first half touchdowns. The Oak Ridge Wildcats visited the Ooltewah Owls in the second round of the TSSAA 5A football playoffs on Friday 13, 2015.“The coaches let me know before our last regular-season game that they needed me to play more on both sides of the ball, and that was just fine with me,” said Freeman, who has had nearly half the number of touches for the season in the last three weeks, averaging just over 100 yards of offense and scoring nine touchdowns, all while continuing to be a defensive leader.
“The plan worked out perfect because I’m fresh and ready to go out and try to make big plays on both sides now.”