Rembert’s 77-yard TD catch lifts Oak Ridge
OAK RIDGE — Oak Ridge wide receiver Almani Rembert’s energy didn’t change when he wasn’t thrown the ball much Thursday night against Powell.
Wildcats coach Derek Rang knew that and didn’t worry about his senior wide receiver.
“He didn’t really have a lot of targets during the game, but when we called his number right there, he just made a big play,” said Rang, after Oak Ridge’s 35-21 win over Powell.
That big play was Rembert’s third catch of the night and the longest of his career, a 77-yard touchdown that he secured from Oak Ridge’s 30.
“If felt great to help solidify our team for the win,” Rembert said. “It was close so got to up that margin a little bit.”
The touchdown extended the Wildcats’ fourth-quarter lead to 15 and helped capture the Class 5A non-region win. Oak Ridge (2-0) had not beat the Panthers (1-2) since 2020. This was Oak Ridge’s largest margin of victory over Powell since 2017 when it won 42-7.
De’Jauvis Dozier had 18 carries for 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior star wideout Brandon Heyward, who has offers from Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, had five catches for 86 receiving yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Blaine Stansberry completed 10 of 17 passes for 238 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. On the defensive side, senior Vashawn Nalls had 13 tackles and an interception. Rang said that Rembert ran a hitch route and the read was designed for him since the cornerback gave him room pre-snap.
“Mani caught it and just split him and took it to the house,” Rang said. “He obviously has got tremendous speed.”
The final exclamation point of the night was a rare onside kick returned for a touchdown by the receiving team. Will Pressley corralled the ball that soared high after several bounces and took it back from Oak Ridge 45 to the end zone.
“Will Pressley made a great catch and spun out he saw grass and took it to the house,” Rang said. “That’s just a playmaker making a play.”
Rang, who is in his first year as a coach of the Wildcats, said he was pleased with the way his team responded to the challenge he posed at halftime to improve after ending the first half tied 7-7.
“This group got to come in every day and never be satisfied,” Rang said. “We just want to come grind and work and, you know, if you do that the results will take care of themselves”
Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email tbrown@ usatoday.com. Twitter @TJ3rd_.