Cat fight at away game; Wildcats return to Blankenship Friday

The Oak Ridger
·1 min read

The Oak Ridge High School Wildcats unfortunately lost last Friday's football game to the Powell High School Panthers at Powell. The Panthers won by a score of 30-14, but the Wildcats made a lot of great plays, despite injured players.

Oak Ridge played without starting quarterback Peyton Sharpe, who is nursing a hand injury. The Wildcats featured junior quarterback Ethan Garza under center, making his first career start.

Oak Ridge’s Ethan Garza (14) throws a pass during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Ethan Garza (14) throws a pass during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

“We just got to overcome some challenges that we have,” Oak Ridge coach Scott Cummings said in a story by Toyloy Brown III of Knox News. “We got a couple of kids back from injury tonight, but we also still got three or four starters out, so hopefully we can get (wide receiver) Elijah Rogers back next week, that'll be a big deal. But, you know, every snap is just more experience for regard for Ethan Garza and hopefully, he can grow from this and get better next week.”

Oak Ridge’s Dallas Frendt (27) tackles Powell’s Trevor Bryant (26) during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Dallas Frendt (27) tackles Powell’s Trevor Bryant (26) during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Garza completed 17 of 35 pass attempts for 246 yards. Rogers, who is injured, is a three-star receiver and defensive back. His presence would take away some of the attention paid to Brandon Heyward. The junior wide receiver, ranked highly in the Class of 2024, finished with five catches for 68 yards.

This Friday, the Wildcats battle Greeneville at Blankenship Field in Oak Ridge. Greeneville is ranked No. 10 this week in the Tennessee Super 25 high school football rankings.

Oak Ridge’s Brandon Heyward (13) is tackled by Powell’s Connor Wheeler (13) during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Brandon Heyward (13) is tackled by Powell’s Connor Wheeler (13) during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Jai Hundley (7) is tackled by Powell’s Steven Soles (6) during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Jai Hundley (7) is tackled by Powell’s Steven Soles (6) during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s head coach Scott Cummings yells to the field during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s head coach Scott Cummings yells to the field during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Jai Hundley (7) runs the ball during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge’s Jai Hundley (7) runs the ball during a game between Powell and Oak Ridge at Powell, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Cat fight at away game; Wildcats return to Blankenship Friday