Nolan Dacus hands the ball off to Ty Fitch in the Wildcats matchup with Chattanooga Central. Photo by Doodle Bivens
Chattanooga Central Overpowers Sweetwater, Wins 62-34 in Region 3 AAA Matchup
by Bryan Burchfield
Sweetwater, Tenn. — In a thrilling Region 3 AAA matchup, big plays from the Chattanooga Central Purple Pounders were too much, defeating the Sweetwater Wildcats 62-34 on Friday night at King Berrong Stadium.
Chattanooga Central (3-4, 2-1) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, capping off a seven-play, 84-yard opening drive with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ronye’ Watson. With the successful point after, the Purple Pounders led 7-0 with just two minutes gone by in the first quarter.
The Purple Pounders struck again late in the first quarter when Maddox Jones connected with Watson for a 66-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 14-0. Shortly after, Central’s Zachariah Myree capitalized on a Sweetwater fumble, returning it 73 yards for a defensive touchdown. Though the extra point was missed, Chattanooga Central held a commanding 20-0 lead.
A turnover on the Wildcats' next possession set Central up in Sweetwater territory. Three plays later, Jones found Houston Boykin for a 28-yard touchdown pass, increasing the lead to 26-0 after a failed two-point conversion.
Sweetwater (1-6, 0-4) responded midway through the second quarter when quarterback Nolan Dacus connected with Jeremiah Parris for a 63-yard touchdown. With Teutimez’s extra point, the Wildcats cut the lead to 26-7. However, Chattanooga Central quickly answered as Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion stretched the Purple Pounders' lead to 34-7.
The Wildcats continued to battle, adding another score late in the first half on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Dacus to Lucas Rockholt, making it 34-14 at the break.
Sweetwater opened the second half with momentum, successfully recovering an onside kick and scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Dacus to Parris, closing the gap to 34-21. But Central countered again, marching down the field on a 56-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Joseph Jefferson. The Purple Pounders converted a two-point try to make it 42-21.
The remainder of the third quarter was quiet, but the final quarter saw a flurry of scoring. Chattanooga Central found the end zone three more times, while Sweetwater added two more touchdowns from Dacus to Isaiah Stiles and Rockholt. Despite Sweetwater’s efforts, the Purple Pounders' offensive firepower was too much to handle, and Chattanooga Central sealed a 62-34 victory.
With the loss, Sweetwater’s playoff hopes are officially dashed, while Chattanooga Central remains in the hunt. The Wildcats will look to bounce back in their final home game of the season next Friday against Loudon, which will also be senior night.
Chattanooga Central (3-4, 2-1) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, capping off a seven-play, 84-yard opening drive with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ronye’ Watson. With the successful point after, the Purple Pounders led 7-0 with just two minutes gone by in the first quarter.
The Purple Pounders struck again late in the first quarter when Maddox Jones connected with Watson for a 66-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 14-0. Shortly after, Central’s Zachariah Myree capitalized on a Sweetwater fumble, returning it 73 yards for a defensive touchdown. Though the extra point was missed, Chattanooga Central held a commanding 20-0 lead.
A turnover on the Wildcats' next possession set Central up in Sweetwater territory. Three plays later, Jones found Houston Boykin for a 28-yard touchdown pass, increasing the lead to 26-0 after a failed two-point conversion.
Sweetwater (1-6, 0-4) responded midway through the second quarter when quarterback Nolan Dacus connected with Jeremiah Parris for a 63-yard touchdown. With Teutimez’s extra point, the Wildcats cut the lead to 26-7. However, Chattanooga Central quickly answered as Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion stretched the Purple Pounders' lead to 34-7.
The Wildcats continued to battle, adding another score late in the first half on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Dacus to Lucas Rockholt, making it 34-14 at the break.
Sweetwater opened the second half with momentum, successfully recovering an onside kick and scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Dacus to Parris, closing the gap to 34-21. But Central countered again, marching down the field on a 56-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Joseph Jefferson. The Purple Pounders converted a two-point try to make it 42-21.
The remainder of the third quarter was quiet, but the final quarter saw a flurry of scoring. Chattanooga Central found the end zone three more times, while Sweetwater added two more touchdowns from Dacus to Isaiah Stiles and Rockholt. Despite Sweetwater’s efforts, the Purple Pounders' offensive firepower was too much to handle, and Chattanooga Central sealed a 62-34 victory.
With the loss, Sweetwater’s playoff hopes are officially dashed, while Chattanooga Central remains in the hunt. The Wildcats will look to bounce back in their final home game of the season next Friday against Loudon, which will also be senior night.
Graphic by Josh Walker - Sweetwater High School
