DUNLAP, Tenn. — A season that got off on the wrong foot is back on course toward pursuing sky-high expectations thanks to a swift mid-schedule kick-start delivered by an unlikely source.
Sequatchie County High School’s football team has overcome a frustrating opening loss at rival Bledsoe County, thanks in large part to senior kicker Will Machado — who plans to pursue a career as an electrician — providing a jolt of energy by connecting on winning field goals in back-to-back weeks during the Indians’ run of three consecutive narrow victories over state-ranked opponents last month.
Riding the wave of momentum and confidence the left-footed thumper created, the Indians (6-1) enter a stretch run of three straight TSSAA Region 4-3A matchups with their sights set on winning the league and earning home-field advantage throughout the state playoffs.
“Will has a quiet confidence about himself, and he’s always ready when we’ve needed him,” said fourth-year Indians head coach Rusty McIntyre. “Before the season, our kids had heard all about how good we were going to be, so after the Bledsoe loss, we used it as a learning opportunity on how to block out all the noise and just go to work to get better.
“Those kicks he made helped a lot to know we can trust him in any big-game situation. He’s earned my confidence that he can come through.”