Red Bank rolls past Grundy County, into second round of state

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Red Bank running back Lumiere Strickland (15) runs for a touchdown during the Lions' home game against Grundy County on Friday night in the first round of the TSSAA Class 3A state playoffs.
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Red Bank running back Lumiere Strickland (15) runs for a touchdown during the Lions' home game against Grundy County on Friday night in the first round of the TSSAA Class 3A state playoffs.

At the end of the most uncertain week of the most uncertain high school football season in the most uncertain year of our lifetime, no one can fault Red Bank coach Chris Brown for leaving nothing to chance.

Not the pregame routine. Not warmups. Not anything.

"We don't take a single day for granted," Brown said. "We've had so many shutdowns (because of COVID-19), this feels more like week six or week seven."

After all, Brown's Lions have not lost under the lights this season, with their only blemish on what is now a 7-1 record coming in the COVID-19 crosshairs of the surreal circumstances of 2020, a forfeit when they were unable to play because of being quarantined.

His precautions for Friday night's home game against Grundy County were understandable, but when the ball was kicked, his team's advantages were clear as they rolled by the Yellow Jackets, 50-6 in the first round of the TSSAA Class 3A playoffs.

(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday night's Chattanooga-area high school football games)

"These kinds of games against that kind of team can only help us see what we need to do to get better to compete," Grundy County coach Tracy Hayworth said after his team's season ended at 2-8. "I am so proud of our kids because they never quit, and we talk about always trying to finish."

After Red Bank cornerback Joshua Blackmon's interception ended Grundy's first possession, the avalanche was quick and the outcome became as one-sided as a North Korean news conference.

The numbers were eye-popping, and the statistical domination was universal.

* Red Bank scored six touchdowns and a field goal on its seven first-half possessions.

* Lions quarterback Joseph Blackmon had four completions for 141 yards and three scores - two to Kel Eddins - on seven first-half passes.

* Red Bank rushed for 189 yards and three scores before the break. Blackmon had a touchdown run early and added the Lions' final score on a 20-yard run on the first possession of the third quarter, while Lumber Strickland and A.D. Crutcher combined for 163 yards on 11 first-half carries and three total touchdowns.

And defensively, well, in this season of uncertainty the one thing Brown knew all the way back in August was, when healthy, his defensive front was good.

In the first half, Grundy ran 27 plays, had two first downs and gained 49 yards. Quarterback Jacob Dixon had more success in the second half, particularly with Hunter Hanner.

Dixon also hauled in the Jackets' lone score, catching a touchdown on the final play of the game.

"That's great experience for us right there - to play against a team with that kind of speed and athletic ability up front," Hayworth said. "I think they are a team to watch that has a good chance as any to win it all."

The Jackets' late score was anything but cosmetic considering it was a testament to their never-quit approach and spoiled a potential shutout, which left the Red Bank players on the sideline despondent.

"We want to have the tradition of playing first-rate defense, and in this day of offense, we know shutouts are special," Brown said. "So, if we can get a shutout, we get them boneless wings the next week."

So, in the crazy roller coaster that has been 2020, Red Bank remained unbeaten under the lights and moved to next week's home date against Brainerd, which beat Smith County 14-13 on Friday. It's a matchup of Region 3-3A teams that was unable to happen on the field during the regular season - Brainerd is the opponent Red Bank had to forfeit to in mid-October, although the Lions were still able to win the region.

And now the Lions have punched another ticket and, in a year filled with no guarantees, get the best blessing for any high school football player in November - practice next Monday, wings or not.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events