PIKEVILLE, Tenn. - Bledsoe County opened its football season clicking on all cylinders in a rout of 2018 Class 1A state champion Whitwell.
The 2A Warriors forced four turnovers and the play of sophomore quarterback Harmon Keith was spot-on in Saturday's 41-13 victory over a winded foe.
Keith put the ball right on the money for a 22-yard touchdown strike to the front right pylon to Colby Rogers to answer a quick score from the Tigers to begin the second half.
Rogers soon afterward intercepted a pass, and the defense recovered a fumble and also registered a safety thanks to the closing speed of defensive back Tyrell Richardson to build a 21-point lead with a minute left in the third quarter.
Keith finished 8-of-11 passing for 155 yards and rushed for a pair of scores along with Cadillac Siever.
A new era under two-time state championship coach Dewayne Tabor began in a memorable way for Bledsoe County, as the play calls and the Warriors' execution in all phases of the game was sharp.
Whitwell lost its second game in a span of 75 hours after falling 38-8 to East Ridge on Wednesday night. An accidental double-up on the opening-week schedule forced the Tigers to have to play both games unless they forfeited one.
Bledsoe County held a 210-90 advantage in total yards at halftime.
At the end of three quarters, Rogers had accounted for 73 yards receiving and 35 rushing.
After a 41-0 loss to Whitwell last season, the Warriors opened what looks to be a very promising new season with a multitude of backs, a growing young quarterback and a defense that made big plays.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.