Oak Ridge finds many ways to score in 66-0 rout of Powell

Junior running back T.J. Allison (6) of the Oak Ridge Wildcats scored two touchdowns on the ground against the Powell Panthers on Friday night and ran for 46 yards on seven carries. (Photos by Julio Culiat)

Note: This story was updated at 2:05 a.m.

Undefeated Wildcats pick up eighth win, fourth shutout

All week long, Oak Ridge simply wanted to beat Powell and stay undefeated on the season. With students on fall break this week, players were able to focus solely on football, and it showed on Friday night.

Things weren’t so simple for Powell however. On Friday afternoon, it was announced that John Allen, their head coach, had been placed on administrative suspension.

There was obviously a lot to talk about going into the game on Friday, but when things finally got going on the field, it was all Oak Ridge.

After a couple of plays, including a 17-yard pass from quarterback Logan Fadnek to Darel Middleton, Oak Ridge (8-0, 6-0 District 3-AAA) had the ball deep in Panther territory. With 9:25 left in the first quarter, Adam Manookian got the Wildcats on the board with a one-yard touchdown run. Oak Ridge scored twice more in the first quarter to add to their lead, making the score 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Brandon Bonds ran back a punt return 78 yards for a touchdown. Bonds also ran back the opening kickoff in the second half, giving him two special teams touchdowns on the night.

Bonds wasn’t the only one getting in on the action though, as senior cornerback Jemiah Hall intercepted two Panther passes, scoring on one and setting up a touchdown on the other.

“I definitely take pride in my defense,” Hall said. “Getting those interceptions, it really means a lot to me.”

Senior cornerback Jemiah Hall (23) had two interceptions against Powell, and he scored on one and helped set up a touchdown on the other.

T.J. Allison had a good night as well, carrying the ball in for two touchdowns on the ground for Oak Ridge. Jordan Hannah also scored for the Wildcats as he had a 10-yard touchdown run in the final minutes of the game.

The passing game worked as well, as two receivers scored on passes from quarterback Logan Fadnek on Friday night. Ted Mitchell scored on a screen pass in the first quarter, and later, Tee Higgins showcased his athletic ability by leaping high above a Panther defender to get a touchdown grab of his own.

And kicker Brandon Nickle added a field goal.

In the end, the Wildcats were simply too much for Powell (1-7, 1-5) to handle as the Oak Ridge defense picked up its fourth shutout of the year.

Oak Ridge finished with 260 yards on offense, compared to 86 for the Panthers. The Wildcats held Powell to just 21 yards in the first half.

It was the eighth win of the season for the undefeated Wildcats, and Oak Ridge looks to remain unbeaten when Central (4-4, 3-3) comes to town next week for senior night.

Alex Myers is a freelance contributor.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

An extra point near the end of the second quarter widened the Oak Ridge lead to 52-0 at halftime.

Here are preliminary stats courtesy of Mark Haste:

Rushing Stats

Passing Stats

Receiving Stats