DUNLAP, Tenn. — Sequatchie County coach Rusty McIntyre breathed a major sigh of relief late Friday night.
His football team had just escaped the wrath of Central’s Ronye Watson in the second round of the TSSAA Class 3A playoffs.
The Indians managed to pull through for their 11th consecutive win with a 42-26 home victory over the Purple Pounders as an opportunistic defense came away with six turnovers, which included interceptions by four different players and two fumble recoveries.
After being torched by Watson, who had 244 total yards and three touchdowns in the first half — including an 86-yard score for the superstar senior’s 100th touchdown of his prep career — it was Sequatchie County senior Jackson Tate who provided one of the biggest sparks of the night.
(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday night’s Chattanooga-area prep football playoffs)
The heads-up cornerback jumped a quick-out route to the sideline intended for Watson and returned the interception 45 yards for a touchdown to build a 28-18 lead two plays into the third quarter. Tate also had a 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half, giving him six touchdowns through two postseason games and a team-high 17 this season.
“Our defense has come up with big plays when facing adversity over and over this season,” said McIntyre, whose defense also had a strip-sack fumble recovery and interceptions by Austin Griffith, Kason Hicks and Lucas Eisenhardt, who also had the biggest play from scrimmage for Sequatchie with a 47-yard catch.
“But the fact of the matter is when Ronye got in space, man, he was tough,” McIntyre added. “He is a great player. We were fortunate to make some plays and force some key turnovers. We are fortunate to come away with the win tonight.”
By the 10:21 mark of the third quarter, Watson had four touchdowns and 316 total yards, which included big plays of 73, 86, 61 and 66 yards. He also had a 60-yard punt return to start the fourth quarter and get his inside the Indians’ 15-yard line.
The Purple Pounders superstar, who finished the season with 30 touchdowns and 102 in his career, was limited a great deal in the second half by severe cramps as he finished the game with four catches for 233 yards and 10 rushes for 80 yards.
“My high school career was everything I could have ever dreamed it to be,” Watson said. “A fire was built in me after each and every season. I just wanted to work harder and be better. I just laid it all out there tonight. I love my team. I couldn’t have done any of this without them.”
The Indians were led by the tough running of Kason Hicks, who gained 66 of his 110 total yards in the second half on the ground. Hicks scored a pair of touchdowns along with Griffith, who notched the final two scores covering 12 and 3 yards.
“We are fortunate to have several kids who can go make plays,” McIntyre said. “Jackson has had a great couple of weeks, and Austin has been really solid, too. Kason would have huge numbers if he was just a running back, but he is also one of the best linebackers around the area as just a sophomore. They are unselfish.
“Hunter (Minton) has stepped right in (at quarterback after a season-ending injury to senior Sam Evitts), and our guys have the world of confidence in him. He is a special talent and gives us another element with his ability to escape the pocket.”
Sequatchie County (11-1) will host Meigs County (9-3) in next Friday’s Class 3A quarterfinal round, while Central’s best season since 2017 comes to a close at 7-5.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.