Hayden Tarwater Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Cherokees ends Wildcats’ season

Posted at 2:52 pm November 6, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Jacob Berven blocked a punt inside the McMinn County 10-yard line, giving the Wildcats a chance to tie the football game with about two minutes remaining.

But Oak Ridge was unable to convert that blocked punt into a score, and the Wildcats’ season ended in a 24-17 first-round playoff loss to the Cherokees on Friday. The Wildcats were unable to score when McMinn County stopped Oak Ridge quarterback Hayden Tarwater two yards short of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal play with 3.2 seconds left.

The season-ending defeat came a week after the Wildcats played their best game, a 48-21 win over region rival Campbell County.

Oak Ridge got credit for not giving up this season, even in the final minutes, despite their 3-8 losing record.

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Wildcats open playoffs at McMinn Co.

Posted at 10:03 am November 5, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge sophomore De’Jauvis Dozier (22) runs for a season-high 210 yards during a 48-21 win over Campbell County at home on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. At back left is junior lineman Zac Snyder (70) and, at right, junior quarterback Hayden Tarwater (8). (Photo by Barry Houchin)

After struggling this season, the Oak Ridge Wildcats gained confidence headed into the football playoffs tonight with a 48-21 win over region rival Campbell County last Friday.

“This was our best game in a lot of ways, for a lot of reasons,” Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis told his huddled team on Blankenship Field after the victory over the Cougars (6-4, 1-3 Region 3-5A). “That’s a good way to finish the regular season.”

The 48 points was the most scored by Oak Ridge (3-7, 3-2) this season.

The Wildcats also had the most rushing yards and total yards of the season, by far, against the Cougars on Friday. They ran for 366 yards and totaled 517.

“This is kind of a breakout game,” Gaddis said. “We were able to run the ball.”

Oak Ridge sophomore De’Javius Dozier broke tackles and scored three touchdowns as he ran for more than 200 yards, the best performance of any Wildcat this season. He also ran for three touchdowns. Dozier’s previous team-high rushing total was 130 yards at Lenoir City on September 3.

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Wildcats lose to undefeated Greeneville

Posted at 11:27 pm October 8, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Note: This story was updated at 12:30 a.m.

Oak Ridge lost 35-9 to the undefeated Greeneville football team on Friday.

The Wildcats (2-5, 2-1 Region 3-5A) made some improvements. But it wasn’t enough against the Greene Devils, who remained undefeated overall (8-0) and in Region 1-4A (4-0).

Greeneville, about 90 minutes east of Oak Ridge, scored four of their five touchdowns in the first half. Junior quarterback Brady Quillen run for three touchdowns and threw for two, according to The Greeneville Sun.

The Wildcats scored their only touchdown about halfway through the third quarter.

Oak Ridge was visiting Greeneville for the first time since 1947, according to Wildcats broadcaster David Clary, who operates Prepradio.com.

Both teams have played in recent state championship football games. Oak Ridge finished as state runner-up in Class 5A in 2020, while Greeneville won the state championship in Class 4A in 2018.

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Powell dominates Oak Ridge

Posted at 2:27 pm October 2, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Powell dominated Oak Ridge offensively in a matchup of the top two teams in the region on Friday.

On their way to the 38-7 win, the Panthers (6-1, 3-0 Region 3-5A) passed and ran for 387 yards total.

The Wildcats (2-4, 2-1), meanwhile, were held to just 83 yards.

“We obviously still have a lot of work to do offensively,” Oak Ridge coach Joe Gaddis told his team after the football game.

Oak Ridge’s one touchdown was scored on a fourth-down interception picked off in the middle of the field and returned 71 yards by junior Jayden Williams.

Powell’s touchdowns included a two-yard run by a top national prospect, senior defensive lineman Walter Nolen, who is listed as 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds.

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Wildcats lose to South-Doyle in season-opener

Posted at 12:42 pm August 21, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost to South-Doyle in the opening game of the football season on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost to South-Doyle in the opening game of the football season on Thursday.

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The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost to South-Doyle in the opening game of the football season on Thursday.

Three interceptions led to touchdowns, with two of those scored by the Cherokees. The final score was 28-20 in favor of South-Doyle.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost to South-Doyle in the opening game of the football season on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost to South-Doyle in the opening game of the football season on Thursday.

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