Tennessee prep football roundup: Ethan Davis runs wild again, leads Rhea into second round

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Rhea County's Ethan Davis carries the ball on a long run for a touchdown during an Oct. 22 game at Bradley Central.
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Rhea County's Ethan Davis carries the ball on a long run for a touchdown during an Oct. 22 game at Bradley Central.

The sophomore is a sensation.

Rhea County running back Ethan Davis continued his torrid offensive pace Friday, helping the seventh-ranked Eagles cruise past Campbell County 51-29 in a Class 5A first-round playoff matchup.

Davis ran 31 times for 256 yards and four touchdowns, including a 71-yarder late in the first quarter that came just 17 seconds after Campbell County had cut the Eagles' lead to seven points. After rushing for 970 yards last season, Davis has accounted for 990 total yards and 14 touchdowns in Rhea's past three games.

"We knew he was going to be a heck of a player but he has really come on even stronger lately for sure," Eagles coach Mark Pemberton said. "He's a touchdown machine right now, but he'd be the first one to tell anybody that having an all-senior offensive line is what really helps makes us go."

The Eagles (9-2) built a 30-14 halftime lead, then put the game away with a 14-0 third quarter and advances to the second round, where they will host Karns, a 27-25 winner over Walker Valley. Kaleb Martin added 95 yards in eight carries, scoring twice, and Bryce Dupre had two interceptions on defense.

photo Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Rhea County football coach Mark Pemberton sends Drew Massengill in with a play during an Oct. 22 game at Bradley Central. Pemberton's Golden Eagles are moving on in the state playoffs with Friday's 51-29 win against Campbell County.

Also in 5A, McMinn County advanced with a 24-17 win over Oak Ridge. The Cherokees (8-3) were led by quarterback Jayden Miller's 159 total yards - 96 of which, as well as two scores, came on the ground. McMinn County will travel to third-ranked Powell (9-2), which beat Ooltewah 42-0.

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

Class 1A

South Pittsburg 56, Red Boiling Springs 0: De'Andre Kelly, who was named a Mr. Football semifinalist Thursday, returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to set the tone. Kelly added a 60-yard scoring run and finished with 82 rushing yards on just three carries.

Richard Hunter connected on three touchdown passes in the first half to help the Pirates (7-2) race out to a 49-0 halftime lead. Hunter, who finished with 135 passing yards, hooked up with twin brother Reginald on scoring plays of 18 and 13 yards. The fourth-ranked Pirates - who outgained the Bulldogs 331-155 in total yards, averaging 18.4 yards per play - will host No. 7 Clay County in the second round. Clay County (9-1) defeated Sale Creek 55-16.

Jo Byrns 28, Whitwell 6: The visiting Red Devils put the game away with three second-half touchdowns as Ryan Dowlen accounted for 296 yards and all four TDs. Whitwell (4-4) was held to 101 total yards and Wesley Nunley led the defense with 12 solo tackles and five assists.

Class 2A

Meigs County 30, East Robertson 12: The top-ranked Tigers (10-0) jumped out to a 16-0 first-quarter lead and built their advantage to 30-0 by the third quarter. Quarterback Logan Carroll ran 23 times for 147 yards and two scores. Meigs will next host Trousdale County, which beat Tyner 31-16. This will be the fourth consecutive year the Yellow Jackets and Tigers have met in the postseason, with the previous three decided by a total of eight points. Meigs has won the past two.

Marion County 28, Westmoreland 7: The Warriors (9-1) needed two late scores to put away the stubborn Eagles (3-8). Rylee Rogers scored on a 7-yard run with 2:44 remaining to give Marion a 14-point lead and Taye Hutchins followed a minute later with a 15-yard toss to Warren Gavin. Rogers, who led Marion with 101 rushing yards, scored first on an 8-yard run, but Westmoreland countered with a short run by Eli Stafford to tie the game. Alex Condra's 1-yard run put Marion back in front for good just before halftime. The sixth-ranked Wariors, who outgained the Eagles 330-194 in total yards, will travel to Region 4 champion and ninth-ranked Watertown (8-3), which defeated Bledsoe County 45-7.

Class 6A

Bradley Central 24, Jefferson County 21: After jumping out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, the Bears (9-2) had to rally late to advance. Jackson Wilson's 46-yard run with 5:18 remaining put Bradley back in front, and the defense made that late lead stand, holding the Patriots to minus-2 yards on four downs. Wilson finished with 21 carries for 122 yards and two scores, and Aiden McClary completed 11 of 17 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown to Wilson. The Bears will next host Farragut.

Division II-AA

Silverdale Baptist 54, Northpoint Christian 20: Being on the road did not bother the Seahawks, who threw for 242 yards and ran for another 211 to earn their first postseason win since joining D-II. Silverdale Baptist's last playoff win had come in 2013, but it wasted no time in establishing dominance Friday, outscoring Northpoint Christian 41-7 in the first half. The Seahawks (9-2) were led by junior quarterback Brett Rogers, who threw for 149 yards and a touchdown and ran for 84 and two scores. Silverdale will travel to top-ranked Lipscomb Academy (9-1) in next week's quarterfinals.

Division II-AAA

Baylor 21, Ensworth 13: The Red Raiders (7-4) made it a season sweep of the Tigers (7-4) and earned their fourth straight win in the series to earn another rematch at MBA in next week's quarterfinals. Junior running back Caleb Hampton ran 44 times for 252 yards and three TDs and Cooper Wick threw for 144 yards to lead a Red Raiders offense that compiled 397 total yards. Trey McDonald had 11 tackles to lead a Baylor defense which limited Ensworth to just two second-half field goals.

Other area scores:

Class 1A

Gordonsville 35, Copper Basin 8

Clay County 55, Sale Creek 16

Class 3A

Kingston 42, Sequatchie County 28

Cannon Co. 10, Signal Mountain 7

Loudon 42, Grundy County 6

Class 4A

Macon County 28, Central 26

Upperman 46, Soddy-Daisy 7

Class 6A

West Ridge 17, Cleveland 14

Division II-AA

BGA 28, Chattanooga Christian 27

CPA 41, Boyd Buchanan 9

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.

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