South Pittsburg's football team struck for big plays in all three phases of the game Friday night on its way to a convincing 45-7 win over visiting Clay County in the second round of the TSSAA Class 1A playoffs.
The Pirates (8-2) scored on an interception return and a kickoff return, and their offense added touchdowns through the air and on the ground as the program advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh straight year.
Against a defense that had allowed an average of just 9.5 points per game and had not given up more than 21 in a single game all season, South Pittsburg averaged nearly 7 yards per play, led by Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalist De'Andre Kelly's 14 carries for 95 yards. Kelly, who scored on a 15-yard run, also returned a kickoff 80 yards to put the hosts up 24-7 just before halftime.
"The offensive line did their job, which was good for me because when I saw green I just ran hard," Kelly said. "Everything happens for a reason, and those losses we took earlier in the season got our attention. Now we know people are sleeping on us so we're just here to show people what we're still about."
(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday night's Chattanooga-area high school playoffs)
Next week South Pittsburg will host Gordonsville (10-1), which beat Jo Byrns 41-14 on Friday.
Clay County's offense, which had scored 30-plus points seven times, was held to 22 rushing yards on 22 carries, and the Pirates forced four turnovers. Clay County (10-2) finished with 151 total yards.
After opening the game with a 12-play, 73-yard scoring drive, capped by Jayden Mount's 27-yard run, Keshaun Hill brought back an interception 60 yards for a touchdown that put South Pittsburg in control. The Pirates put the game away with a 21-point barrage over a three-minute span in the third quarter.
Richard Hunter threw for 52 yards and a touchdown, all to twin brother Reginald, and their score covered 19 yards.
Rhea County 63, Karns 48: Ethan Davis continues to be electric as the sophomore ran for 359 yards and six touchdown to help the Eagles advance to the 5A quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. Caleb O'Dell added 129 rushing yards and a touchdown for Rhea (10-2), which will travel to Powell next week.
Over the past four games alone, Davis has rushed for 1,349 yards and 20 touchdowns. Karns running back De'Sean Bishop, a Mr. Football semifinalist, ran for 255 yards on 30 carries and scored four times.
Watertown 7, Marion County 0: In a defensive battle, Purple Tigers quarterback Brayden Cousin's 32-yard touchdown run with 7:26 remaining proved to be the difference. Watertown put the game away with a late interception to advance to the 2A quarterfinals, where it will host Region 4 rival Trousdale County. Watertown (9-3) beat Trousdale 31-21 in the last game of the regular season to win the region title, a victory that earned the right to host the rematch.
After losing their first two games of the season - to 2020 Class 1A champion Fayetteville and to Upperman, which is ranked in 4A and still alive in that bracket - Watertown has now won six straight games.
The Purple Tigers outgained Marion 269-151 in total yards, led by Adam Cooper's 106 on the ground and Cousin's 92. Mason Keel led Marion (9-2) with 63 rushing yards.
Powell 49, McMinn County 7: The Panthers jumped out to a 35-0 lead and cruised into the 5A quarterfinals, preventing the Cherokees (8-4) from reaching the third round for what would have been the first time in 20 years. Powell (10-2) held the Cherokees to minus-14 rushing yards and outgained them 488-185 in total yardage.
Lipscomb Academy 56, Silverdale Baptist 7: The top-ranked Mustangs (10-1) led 35-0 by halftime and rolled into the Division II-AA semifinals, where they will host Davidson Academy. Brett Rogers threw for 77 yards to lead the Seahawks (9-3) on offense. Connor Delashmitt was held to 40 yards on the ground and Turner Junkins led the defense with six tackles.
Lipscomb's backfield of quarterback Luther Richesson and running back Alex Broome proved why both are Mr. Football semifinalists. Richesson threw for 150 yards and Broome ran for 154 yards and had 79 more receiving.
MBA 35, Baylor 0: Montgomery Bell Academy posted its second win over Baylor this season and for the fifth time in the last 10 years ended the Red Raiders' season. MBA junior quarterback Marcel Reed, a Mr. Football semifinalist, compiled 128 total yards and scored twice and Rhett Hayles ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns for the Big Red.
MBA (8-3) outgained Baylor 342-191 in total yards and will host Christian Brothers in next week's DII-AAA semifinals. Caleb Hampton led Baylor (7-5) with 113 rushing yards.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.