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Sophomore wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) of the Oak Ridge Wildcats catches a 30-yard touchdown pass over defender Christian Bell (26) of the Soddy-Daisy Trojans, giving Oak Ridge a 23-14 lead midway through the third quarter in a first-round playoff game on Friday. (Photos by Julio Culiat)
Note: This story was last updated at 10:15 a.m.
Ahead by 17-14 at halftime, the Oak Ridge Wildcats played with fury and determination in the second half of their first-round playoff game on Friday and opened up a large lead against Soddy-Daisy, winning 53-28—despite an impressive offensive performance by the Trojans.
The undefeated Wildcats were not happy with the three-point margin at halftime.
“For it to be that close was just unacceptable,†junior running back Jaylen Nickerson said.
The 11-0 team was determined to play better in the second half against the best offense they had played all year, Coach Joe Gaddis said.
“We just came out and played with a fury,†he said.
While the Trojans had held Oak Ridge to two touchdowns and a field goal in the first half, they allowed four in the second—including two by Nickerson—and gave up a safety and an interception returned for a touchdown, or 36 points total. [Read more…]