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East Burke’s Larry Clark nearly got the best of East Rutherford on 98 yards rushing, two touchdowns and collecting an interception on defense. However, it was East Rutherford who won the battle of the turnovers (EB 6 and ER 3) as East Rutherford (2-2, 2-0) won their second game in a row, 35-28.
Although, it wasn’t the best played game from the Cavaliers of Rutherford County, they were without the services of quarterback Austin Hollifield and receiver Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez. While D.J. Miller filled in at quarterback, doing a reputable job, he also managed to pick off a pass late on defense to seal the victory.
Kaleb McIntyre (touchdown reception, fumble recovery), plus Jordan Strickland and Austin Yelton with multiple tackles at the line scrimmage did a great job on defense. No doubt, the play of the game came when tied at 21-all, A.J. Simmons intercepted a pass and took it 38 yards to the house gaining the lead and changing momentum after East Rutherford had trailed by a touchdown for most of the night. Another solid night of work for Kameron Garrison who put up 121 yards rushing and scored three times, which included the game winning 69-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Cavaliers are off this Friday, but will travel to Burns (5-0, 2-0) on October 4th for a big rivalry game and factors in among the conference race.
On the bad side, the record still stands as Chase remains winless against Shelby, but definitely scared them for the second time in as many games. The Trojans fell behind 19-0, but came back to find a deficit of just 22-20 in the fourth quarter. Although, a gutsy effort, the Golden Lions finished them off, 32-20. The last time the two played at Shelby in the 2012 2A playoffs and the Trojans fell, 10-7.
Chase (2-2, 0-2) will have the game of the week as Draughn (1-1, 1-4) comes to town for a 7:30 kickoff, Friday (Sept. 27). Jordan O’Rourke continues to play well in all facets of the game
Like Chase, Draughn is more of a spread option football team with Dominique Patterson and Adam Estep leading the way. Whomever run the option the best with Tyrell Boykins from Chase or Coy Lambert from Draughn will likely find victory. However, the Trojan defense will have to step up as they have allowed 40 points on average in the last two contests.
Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson (3-1) cruised to a 28-7 win over Asheville School last week.
Mason Fenner had a great game last week as he caught a touchdown pass and had 75 yards receiving in the victory. Seth McCraw and Chris Causby did a great job on defense picking up eight tackles between the both of them last week. This week they will host Rabun Gap (2-2) from Georgia on Friday.
R-S Central (1-3, 0-2) suffered another close loss last Friday as they fell to Draughn, 28-20. Desmond Whitesides scored twice for the Hilltoppers and cut the lead to one with less than nine minutes left in the game. The Wildcats marched down the field one more time to score and the Hilltoppers left with their fifth loss of eight points or less in the last 15 games played. R-S Central will welcome Crest to The Palace on Friday. The last two times they have played, Central has lost 35-0.
Finally, on a much more serious note, it was a somber weekend as three former Chase Trojans were involved in a car accident that took the life of Dache Gossett. The three young men I have had the pleasure of following throughout their high school sports careers and beyond. Tajae McMullens, was driving when they hydroplaned off the road and current/starting Clemson defensive tackle, Carlos Watkins was the other involved. McMullens (former Chase fullback) and Watkins (former Chase defensive end) avoided serious injury. Gossett played quarterback at Chase and basketball from 2007-2010. Still, it’s not something I wish to ever have to report. My thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with all the families, friends that surround these young men, and to the two young men who survived the crash.
