Wildcats roar past Admirals on the road
Ja’Rell Jemerson avoids a tackle in the Oak Ridge win Friday at Farragut. (photo:Kirah Colston | ORHS Sports Media )
The Wildcats (9-0 overall, 5-0 in Region 2-6A) will play for a region championship Thursday night when they travel to Blount County to face Maryville (9-1, 5-0) at Jim Renfro Field.
Coach Derek Rang said his team must be confident that it can finish the job.
“We’ve got to go down there and believe,” said Rang, now in his third season leading ORHS. “Maryville is going to make some big plays, and we’re going to make some big plays, because we’re both good football teams.”
Oak Ridge picked up a huge confidence boost Thursday night, routing Farragut 45-21 at Bill Clabo Field before a regional television audience — avenging last year’s loss to the Admirals (2-7, 2-4).
The Wildcats came out fast, jumping ahead 14-0. Quarterback Blaine Stansberry capped an 85-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, then added another from five yards out.
Farragut trimmed the lead to 14-7 when quarterback Corbin Hobson connected with Max Garfield on a 28-yard scoring pass and Ryan McCue hit the PAT with 9:37 left in the first half.
Oak Ridge closed the half strong as Stansberry found Malik Howard on a 79-yard touchdown strike, and Eli Pearson added a 37-yard field goal for a 24-7 lead.
The Admirals pulled within 24-14 early in the third quarter on another Hobson-to-Garfield connection, this one from 58 yards.
“I give our kids credit — they battled hard all night,” Admirals Coach Geoff Courtney said.
“We’re where we want to be. We have a chance to make the playoffs in the final week of the regular season. We would’ve liked to clinch before now, but we’re in control of our own destiny.”
Stansberry helped the Wildcats regain control when he hit Ja’Rell Jemerson for a 31-yard touchdown midway through the third. Howard added two more touchdown catches in the fourth to push the lead to 45-14.
“Their quarterback had a great night,” Courtney said. “And their receivers — Malik Howard and Ja’Rell Jemerson — had great nights.”
Farragut’s Charlie Noble added a late rushing touchdown to close the scoring.
Oak Ridge now turns its focus to Maryville — and a chance to make its first season in 6A truly historic.