The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Dobyns-Bennett Indians 41-28 on Blankenship Field on Friday. Here are preliminary statistics by Mark and Shawna Haste. [Read more…]
Acrobatic catches, long TD runs, fumble recoveries help Wildcats in 41-28 win over D-B
Oak Ridge sophomore running back Jordan Graham (22) scored the last of his three touchdowns on a 79-yard carry up the right side of the field in the second quarter of a 41-28 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)
The Oak Ridge Wildcats’ 41-28 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Friday featured acrobatic catches by senior wide receiver Tee Higgins, long touchdown runs by sophomore running back Jordan Graham, and three fumble recoveries by senior linebacker Kyndall Clark. He forced one and recovered another for a touchdown.
There were also a few firsts: first touchdown catch for junior wide receiver Caleb Martin and first interception of the season for senior linebacker Jacob Gross. And sophomore Kai’Reese Pendergrass, who returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown at Clinton last week, stopped a Dobyns-Bennett drive on Blankenship Field on Friday with an interception in the end zone in the third quarter.
The Indians (1-1, 0-0 Region 1-6A) dominated in total yards in the non-region game: 579 to 391. They also had 21 first downs to Oak Ridge’s nine.
But Dobyns-Bennett lost four fumbles and gave up two interceptions, and penalties (11 for 101 yards) also hurt the Indians. The Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 Region 3-Class 5A) had no turnovers.
Much of the buzz after the game focused on two highlight-reel catches by Higgins, who was double-teamed on both. [Read more…]
Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Clinton, II
Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) had two touchdown catches, two interceptions that the Wildcats converted into touchdowns, and a scoring punt return, pictured here, that was called back because of a block in the back during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins is pictured above with seniors Chase Kimbro (10) and Wilson Hammer (52). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
CLINTON—The Oak Ridge Wildcats opened the regular football season with a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday. Here is the second of two sets of photos by John Huotari.
Oak Ridge senior Chase Kimbro (10) runs with the football during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Blocking for Kimbro is sophomore Jordan Graham (22). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Oak Ridge senior Jacob Gross (7) blocks Clinton senior Demarea Whitt (4), a former Wildcat, for Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) during a punt return for a score during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. The touchdown was called back because of a block in the back. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Clinton, I
Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) congratulates sophomore Jordan Graham (22) after Graham scored on a two-yard touchdown catch, helping to give the Wildcats a 21-0 lead at Clinton at 2:29 in the first quarter on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Also pictured is junior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
CLINTON—The Oak Ridge Wildcats opened the regular football season with a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday. Here is the first of two sets of photos by John Huotari.
Oak Ridge senior Chase Kimbro (10), at center, runs with the football during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Blocking for Kimbro are sophomore Jordan Graham (22), left, and senior Jordan Smith (55). At front left trying to tackle Kimbro is Clinton senior J’Quan Thomas (5). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
In his first varsity start, Oak Ridge junior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2), pictured above on ground at center, was 5-for-5 passing with no interceptions and three touchdown throws. Stewart also had a rushing touchdown, pictured above, during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Football stats: Oak Ridge vs. Clinton
Oak Ridge senior wide receiver and cornerback Tee Higgins (5) makes one of two interceptions during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Also pictured are senior Chase Kimbro (10) and sophomore Caelan Thompson (32). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
CLINTON—The Oak Ridge Wildcats opened the regular football season with a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday. Here are preliminary statistics by Mark Haste.
|
TEAM STATISTICS |
||
|
Oak Ridge |
Clinton |
|
|
FIRST DOWNS |
||
|
8 |
Total | 15 |
|
8 |
By rushing | 7 |
|
0 |
By passing | 8 |
|
0 |
By penalty | 0 |
| RUSHING | ||
|
29 |
Attempts | 34 |
|
313 |
Yards gained | 177 |
|
31 |
Yards lost | 24 |
|
282 |
Net yards | 153 |
| PASSING | ||
|
5 |
Completions | 14 |
|
5 |
Attempts | 28 |
|
100.00% |
Percentage | 50.00% |
|
0 |
Intercepted | 4 |
|
104 |
Net yards | 131 |
| TOTAL OFFENSE | ||
|
386 |
Net yards | 284 |
| PUNTS | ||
|
1 |
Attempts | 3 |
|
31 |
Average | 31 |
| RETURN YARDS | ||
|
24 |
Punt returns | 0 |
|
126 |
Kickoff returns | 15 |
|
45 |
Interception returns | 0 |
| FUMBLES | ||
|
3 |
Total | 3 |
|
2 |
Fumbles lost | 1 |
| PENALTIES | ||
|
6 |
Total | 4 |
|
45 |
Yards lost | 35 |
Football: Wildcats start season Thursday at Clinton; see ORHS football schedules here
The Oak Ridge Wildcats start the regular football season at Clinton at 7 p.m. Thursday August 18.
The first home game is at Blankenship Field at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 26, against Dobyns Bennett. That’s also Former Wildcat Day, when former players are encouraged to come be recognized on the field prior to kickoff.
Here is the 2016 varsity schedule:
(All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise.) [Read more…]
Mavericks tie in jamboree on Thursday
WYSH Radio/Oak Ridge Today
High school football preseason jamborees got under way Thursday night in East Tennessee.
At Hardin Valley in Knox County on Thursday, Anderson County and Powell played to a 14-14 tie. The Mavericks’ sophomore quarterback Stanton Martin threw a pair of touchdown passes, one covering 23 yards to Ryan Moog and the other to Thashaud Thrasher from 24 yards out.
Powell scored twice late to tie the mini-game, which lasted for one quarter.
The Mavericks open their season at home this Friday against Greeneville. [Read more…]
Photos: Wildcats scrimmage against Heritage
Oak Ridge rising sophomore quarterback Kevin Reedy (15) throws a pass during a scrimmage against the Heritage Mountaineers at Blankenship Field on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
The Oak Ridge Wildcats had a scrimmage against the Heritage Mountaineers of Blount County at Blankenship Field on Friday. Here are photos by John Huotari of Oak Ridge Today and contributor Luther Simmons.
See a story on the scrimmage here.
Oak Ridge rising sophomore quarterback Herbert Booker (13) runs during a scrimmage against the Heritage Mountaineers at Blankenship Field on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Oak Ridge rising sophomore quarterback Herbert Booker (13) takes a snap during a scrimmage against the Heritage Mountaineers at Blankenship Field on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
Wildcats scrimmage against Heritage; need to improve tackling, blocking, coach says
The Oak Ridge Wildcats had a scrimmage against the Heritage Mountaineers at Blankenship Field on Friday, July 29, 2016. Pictured above is rising sophomore running back Jordan Graham (22). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
The Oak Ridge Wildcats had a scrimmage against the Heritage Mountaineers of Blount County at Blankenship Field on Friday.
Oak Ridge could have blocked better and tackled better, Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis said.
“They don’t score if we tackle,” he said.
The Oak Ridge first team tied the Heritage team 13-13. The Moutaineers outscored the Wildcats once the second teams came in, and the final score was 33-13.
But the focus wasn’t on the final score. Instead, Gaddis wanted to try different possibilities. Among other things, the Wildcats wanted to run the option quite a bit, he said.
“Scrimmages are all about learning about your team,” Gaddis said. [Read more…]
Wildcats have scrimmage against Heritage at Blankenship tonight
The Oak Ridge Wildcats have a scrimmage against Heritage at 7 p.m. today (July 29) at Blankenship Field.
The admission is $3 per person at the lower and upper gates.
Limited concessions will be available, and Wildcat Cards will be sold in the upper concession stand.
School begins Monday, August 1, and practices will be held immediately after school (at the coach’s discretion) every day until game weeks begin. [Read more…]
Higgins talks to Clemson Insider, feels at home at Clemson
Junior receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates his first touchdown catch for the Oak Ridge Wildcats at 11:16 in the second quarter against the Clinton Dragons on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. Higgins had three catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Tee Higgins, a five-star wide receiver at Oak Ridge High School who has committed to Clemson, talked to The Clemson Insider about his experience at The Opening finals in Beaverton, Oregon, last week. You can read the interview with The Clemson Insider here.
Among other things, Higgins said his relationship with Tigers coach Dabo Swinney and wide receivers coach Jeff Scott were important factors in his decision to commit to Clemson.
“They were a big part,†Higgins told The Clemson Insider. “They made Clemson feel like I was at home.â€
Higgins competed with other top high school football prospects from across the country at the Nike Football The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon, from July 5-10. He was listed as a top 10 performer on Day Two by Scout.com. [Read more…]
Reminder: Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball Skills Camp starts Monday
Reminder: The Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball Camp had a Shooting Camp in June, and there is a Skills Camp this week, from Monday, July 11, to Wednesday, July 13.
All camps are scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Learn more about the camps and registration here:Â Oak Ridge Basketball Camp 2016. [Read more…]
