There was no need for a motivational speech — Friday night was personal for West.
The Rebels had heard about how Halls “exposed” them during their regular-season matchup, which ended in an overtime win for West.
Not even the win against Powell in Week 11 stopped the criticism.
West wanted to prove a point in Friday’s TSSAA 5A second-round rematch with Halls.
It showed in the 35-8 final score.
Two-time defending state champion West (9-3) will play host to Sevier County (12-0) in next week’s quarterfinals.
“We came out hot and I think everyone knew the goal we wanted,” West quarterback Parker Dubon said. “We just wanted to advance the next week and we really wanted to stick it to these guys, but we had to control our emotions and play with emotion instead of just getting emotional.”
Dubon threw an interception to Halls’ Brody Rogers to begin the contest. He bounced back after Halls missed a field goal, finding David Drata for a 34-yard touchdown.
It began a 9-for-13-passing, 157-yard night for Dubon, complemented by an efficient rushing attack.
Messiah Wrenn followed it up with a 43-yard touchdown run to give the Rebels a quick 14-0 lead with 5:25 left in the first quarter. Tavion Ray added a 12-yard touchdown as time expired in the first quarter.
It was an onslaught from the West offense which out-gained Halls 352-233 on the night.
“Tonight we came out strong, had a few mishaps, but we had a really good practice all week,” Dubon said. “We just were really locked in for this win.”
Ray added another touchdown from 24 yards out and Dubon chipped in an 8-yard touchdown to Jack Hankins to give the Rebels a 35-0 lead.
“I thought we started really well,” head coach Lamar Brown said. “Our kids — a little bit embarrassed when we went over there last time and played and they were really locked in.
“They’ve been locked in all week and it showed there in the first half.”
Halls found the end zone with some trickery early in the fourth quarter — using an end-around for Landon Vest to find Brody Rogers for a touchdown. It made the score 35-8 after the 2-point conversation.
“The defensive approach was to hold them to zero points and I feel like we could’ve done better on defense for sure, getting off the field on third downs and stuff,” Antwaine Burdine said. “But I feel like we did a pretty good job today tackling and stuff.”
Burdine came up with an interception just before the two-minute mark to stop a driving Halls team. The pick sealed the win for the Rebels, and secured the single-season interception record (nine) for Burdine.
West held talented Amari Lethgo to just 17-of-36 passing for 170 yards. The Burdine interception capped off the dominant defensive effort.
The 5-foot-9 senior dons the No. 1, taking after former West great Shannon Blair. He’s fought injury to be on the field, so it was only fitting he capped off a personal win to send West to the 5A quarterfinals in the TSSAA Playoffs.
“He’s one of the best competitors I’ve ever coached,” Brown said. “He’s got a heart of a lion, competes every day. One of our best practice players — fought through some nagging injuries this year. Never misses a day of practice and keeps going.”
Halls ends season at 8-4
Halls could’ve given up after being shut out in the first half Friday night, but it didn’t. The Red Devils kept fighting and found the end zone.
To head coach Brent Hughes, that sums up his 2024 team.
“We’ve been able to just fight,” Hughes said. “At the end of the day, I just love them and I couldn’t be more proud of them. They don’t quit. They always fight. And unfortunately, we just came up short.”
The Red Devils lose several senior contributors, like running back Marcus Moore. He ran for 54 yards on 15 carries in the loss. Drew Ross and Landon Vest are among the graduating members.
Halls has a talented group of young players who will return, like quarterback Amari Lethgo. Hughes looks forward to those young players continuing to build the program and getting ready for the 2025 season.
“(The seniors) were just special football players and we’re going to miss them,” Hughes said. “But with the young talent that we still have, you like to think that maybe the program’s going in the right direction, but we got to continue to work hard and press forward.”
Article written by Caleb Jarreau/ 5Star Preps To read more on area high school sports or to see photo galleries, videos, stat leaders, etc… visit 5StarPreps.com — and use promo code New2024 for 30% off your first year or month subscription.
