Jeremiah Parris was a weapon for the Wildcats against Sequoyah on both offense and special teams.
Photo by Doodle Bivens
Photo by Doodle Bivens
Sweetwater Outlasts Sequoyah to Win Season Opener
by Bryan Burchfield and AJ Hall
by Bryan Burchfield and AJ Hall
The Sweetwater Wildcats and the Sequoyah Chiefs met on the gridiron Friday night for the 30th all-time meeting between the programs. Out of the gate, both teams struggled offensively and leaned on their defenses to set the tone. The Wildcats were finally able to get the scoring started with 2:50 remaining in the first quarter on a 4 yard Jeremiah Parris touchdown run. Sweetwater added another touchdown at the 8:24 mark in the second quarter with a 1 yard Ty Fitch carry. Sweetwater led 14-0. On the ensuing kickoff, the Chiefs got on the board as Maddox Jones returned the kick 97 yards for a Sequoyah touchdown. The Wildcats almost returned the favor, literally, as Jeremiah Parris took that ensuing kickoff 96 yards into the endzone but the touchdown was wiped off as it was ruled he had stepped out of bounds at the Sequoyah 8 yard line. It didn't take long for the Wildcats to cash in on the good field position, though, with an 8 yard TD pass from Nolan Dacus to Lucas Rockholt. After the Bryce Teutimez extra point, Sweetwater led 21-7. Defensive play and special teams would prove crucial for Sweetwater, setting their offense up with starting field position in Sequoyah territory on six of the Wildcats’ twelve possessions. After the defense came away with a fumble recovery by Rockholt, Sweetwater’s drive started at the Sequoyah 49 yard line and ended with a touchdown on a 3 yard quarterback sneak from Nolan Dacus. Sequoyah was able to carry some momentum into the locker room, however, as they drove down and scored on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Aaron Hunt to Evan Hunt with :15 seconds to go in the half. The John Leo extra point made the halftime score Sweetwater 28, Sequoyah 14. The Chiefs would make it a one score game with a 6 yard Maddox Jones touchdown run with 2:59 to go in the third quarter. The extra point was blocked and the new score was 28-20, Sweetwater clinging to the lead. Sweetwater wasted no time building back their lead as just over one minute later Nolan Dacus hit Hunter Daffron on a 49 yard hook up for the score making it 35-20. Sweetwater added another touchdown just seconds into the fourth quarter on a 30 yard touchdown pass from Dacus to Isaiah Stiles, building the Wildcats’ lead to 42-20 and all but shutting the door on Sequoyah’s chances. Sequoyah would continue to fight however, scoring on a 61 yard pass and catch from Aaron Hunt to Keith Gentry. The two point try failed, making the score 42-26 in favor of the blue and gold, which would be the final. With the win, Sweetwater begins the season 1-0, running their all-time record against Sequoyah to 23-7 with the streak now at six in a row, and gave their first year Head Coach, Tommy Bunch, Jr. his first win as a Wildcat. Unfortunately, with all the positives, the game will be remembered for its miscues and penalties. Both teams combined on the night for a total of 35 penalties. Sweetwater had 16 penalties for 180 yards while Sequoyah had 19 penalties for 210 yards. “I told the guys I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day,” Sweetwater Coach Tommy Bunch said with relief. In reference to the communication errors and penalties, Coach Bunch said that would be an emphasis this week at practice and they will get that cleaned up. This Friday, Sweetwater will travel to Stone Memorial while Sequoyah will stay in the county and travel to Tellico Plains.
Sweetwater
Passing: 18/25 361 yards 3 TDs
Rushing: 24 carries 88 yards 3 TDs
Sequoyah
Passing: 13/25 198 yards 2 TDs
Rushing: 39 carries 179 yards 1 TD
Sweetwater Team Leaders
Passing
Nolan Dacus: 18/25 361 yards 3 TDs
Rushing
Ty Fitch: 17 carries 52 yards TD
Jeremiah Parris: 4 carries 29 yards TD
Nolan Dacus: 3 carries 7 yards TD
Receiving
Hunter Daffron : 6 rec 162 yards TD
Isaiah Stiles: 2 rec 86 yards TD
Jeremiah Parris: 7 rec 59 yards
Lucas Rockholt: 3 rec 54 yards TD
Leading Tackler
Luke Willet: 10 tackles
Takeaways
Lucas Rockholt: Fumble Recovery
Special Teams
Bryce Teutimez: 6 PATS Made
Jeremiah Parris: several good Punt and Kick Returns
including an 88 yarder to set up the Wildcats at the 8 yard line.
Passing: 18/25 361 yards 3 TDs
Rushing: 24 carries 88 yards 3 TDs
Sequoyah
Passing: 13/25 198 yards 2 TDs
Rushing: 39 carries 179 yards 1 TD
Sweetwater Team Leaders
Passing
Nolan Dacus: 18/25 361 yards 3 TDs
Rushing
Ty Fitch: 17 carries 52 yards TD
Jeremiah Parris: 4 carries 29 yards TD
Nolan Dacus: 3 carries 7 yards TD
Receiving
Hunter Daffron : 6 rec 162 yards TD
Isaiah Stiles: 2 rec 86 yards TD
Jeremiah Parris: 7 rec 59 yards
Lucas Rockholt: 3 rec 54 yards TD
Leading Tackler
Luke Willet: 10 tackles
Takeaways
Lucas Rockholt: Fumble Recovery
Special Teams
Bryce Teutimez: 6 PATS Made
Jeremiah Parris: several good Punt and Kick Returns
including an 88 yarder to set up the Wildcats at the 8 yard line.