Sawyer scores five times as Rams roll
For the second straight year, a dominant showing by running back Jeremiah Sawyer led the Tyner Rams to a season-opening rout of Central.
This one was definitely different from 2019, though, and not only because the Purple Pounders hosted this time, the score was closer and some aspects of Sawyer’s performance were even more impressive in the 42-18 victory Friday.
With the coronavirus pandemic creating the mentality of no football game being promised but the one happening at the moment, Sawyer made the most of the night by showcasing the power and speed that have college programs such as Tennessee State taking notice.
Although Tyner had to overcome a pair of special teams miscues in the first half to take a 21-6 lead into halftime, it was Sawyer who waited patiently on the ball to bounce to the 10-yard line on a kickoff before he blazed his way to the end zone.
It was one of what would be a career-high five touchdowns for the Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen selection, who capped the outing with an 80-yard scoring run down the right sideline that left defenders watching from far in the distance. And it all happened a week later than Sawyer expected to begin his final high school football season, with the Rams initially scheduled to open against Boyd Buchanan before the Buccaneers decided to limit their fall sports teams to league play due to the pandemic.
“Man, I was sad because our first game got canceled,” Sawyer, who rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries, said during a postgame interview as rain began to fall.
“I had a talk with my coach before the game, and he said we need to capitalize. He told me to remember that I was a senior and that this season was almost taken away from me and my teammates. So I took that to heart, and I really played hard tonight for my team.”
Overcome with excitement, Sawyer yelled in celebration after several of his scores.
It was an overall lackluster first half for the Rams, but veteran coach Wayne Turner’s team was better after the break. Tyner’s offensive line paved the way for Anthony Bell to rumble ahead for big chunks of yardage up the middle on a six-play, 56-yard touchdown drive capped by a pitch play to the left sideline for Sawyer.
Central freshman quarterback Evan Schwarzl showed his potential in the second half, leading a touchdown drive on which he threw for 77 of the 90 yards covered. Noah Collins and Michael Watson scored touchdowns for the Purple Pounders (0-2).
But a year after Sawyer rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns, he pushed past the Purple Pounders again. Ben Blackburn and Dre Ridley also played well for the Rams, who will begin their quest for a 15th straight region victory and a fourth straight region title when they visit Bledsoe County next Friday to open 3-2A competition.
“We are coming to work every day and have to be focused,” Sawyer said. “We are inspired to play with all we’ve got this year. I want to try to score 30 touchdowns, too, this season if possible. That’s my goal.”
Turner said his team better be ready for a good ballclub that is tough up front and has another quarterback capable of making big plays in the air.
“We made some mistakes that have to be fixed,” the coach said. “We have to be better if we are going to be region champions.”