To say the Red Bank Lions played with energy after a week off from football would be a severe understatement. Coming off a bye week, their batteries were fully charged.
Red Bank dominated Region 3-3A foe McMinn Central in all three phases of the game, earning a 57-7 victory Friday night at Tom Weathers Field.
"Our kids were very hungry," Red Bank coach Chris Brown said. "They just love to play football, so I knew they'd come out fired up."
The Lions found the end zone in nearly every possible manner. Lumiere Strickland had a 59-yard kickoff return to the end zone as well as two touchdowns on the ground. Linebacker Clark Lockerby scored a safety to put Red Bank up 15-0 as the first quarter expired. Lineman Cam Bell scored after he scooped up a Chargers fumble, returning the ball 21 yards.
The Lions allowed the Chargers only 136 yards of total offense and four first downs. Over half of those yards, 71, came on a long touchdown dash from running back Jordan Ledford.
Red Bank quarterback Maddox Wilkey threw for three touchdowns on 16-of-21 passing for 162 yards.
"His experience always shines through," Brown said about his quarterback. "Tonight you saw a lot of his poise."
"At the start of the game they weren't as spread out, so we knew we were going to have holes open," said Wilkey, who deferred to his many offensive weapons as a reason for the Lions' success. "Deep balls were a big thing - the receivers blew by people. I know I've got guys who can go up and fight for a catch when I don't throw a great ball."
Lucas Brown was one of those weapons, catching two touchdown passes and totaling 87 receiving yards. Michael Porter also reeled in a touchdown in the air.
Contact Justin Dempsey at sports@timesfreepress.com.