Sequatchie surges past Brainerd
DUNLAP, Tenn. — With his team badly in need of a shot of adrenaline, Collin Hudson did what senior quarterbacks are expected to do in key moments.
As the first-half clock was expiring, Sequatchie County’s leader rolled to his right, then back to his left to avoid the pursuit before finally finding Justin Lamparter in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. That pair also hooked up on a two-point-conversion pass to tie Brainerd with just six seconds remaining before halftime, completing a series that shifted momentum in the Indians’ favor as they went on to a 34-14 Class 3A first-round playoff win.
“This was the first playoff game for some of our guys, so there were some jitters and I was just trying to do everything in my power to make a play for my team,” said Hudson, who accounted for all but 8 of the 79 yards on the game-tying drive. “After they scored we knew we had to put together a drive to get some energy back on our side. That score gave us a big boost for the second half.”
Hudson finished with 10 carries for 97 yards and also completed 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards and the one TD to help Sequatchie score 28 unanswered points after falling behind 14-6 with under four minutes remaining before halftime.
The Indians opened the second half with an impressive scoring drive, capped by Zach Morgan’s second TD run of the night to take the lead for good.
After Sequatchie opened the game with a 20-play, 80-yard scoring drive, capped by Morgan’s 3-yard scoring run, Brainerd answered with an 11-play drive of its own to take the lead when Xiyeer Lattimore hit Robert North for a 2-yard TD and North added the two-point run.
The Panthers extended their lead after recovering an Indians fumble and cashing it in on a 5-yard scoring run by North.
Sequatchie’s defense held Brainerd on downs twice in the second half and also forced a punt while the offense put the game away with a punishing 25 carries for 147 rushing yards in the second half.
“Those two series, the one right before the half and the one to start the third quarter, were really big,” Panthers coach Tyrus Ward said. “Hats off to Sequatchie, they made the plays when they needed to and we had a tough time getting them off the field in the second half.
“This was a learning experience for us. We have a lot of young guys and now they know what the playoffs feel like and the type of work it takes to get here and win one like this. I’m proud of my guys and the season we’ve had.” ›
Whitwell 56, Clay County 6: The Tigers jumped out to a 49-6 lead by halftime and cruised from there. Senior quarterback Warner Ashworth threw for 229 and four touchdowns, with Tanner Stewart catching four passes for 187 and three TDs.
Whitwell allowed just 179 total yards and will host Lookout Valley in next week’s second round. › Lookout Valley 17, Jo Byrns 14: Zane Howard ran for 167 yards and threw for two TDs, and Avery Hamrick added 107 rushing yards to lead the Yellow Jackets to their first playoff win in seven years. › South Pittsburg 55, Monterey 14:
Junior Ronto Tipton ran for 171 yards and two TDs, including a 91-yarder, while sophomore Hunter Frame finished with 161 and four scores. › Meigs County 47, Sullivan North 7:
Junior quarterback Aaron Swafford ran for 108 yards on just seven carries with four TDs and threw for 99 yards. › Grace Academy 27, Tipton-Rosemark 0: In Division II-A, senior quarterback Cade Tinsley ran for 294 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Golden Eagles to the program’s first playoff win.