West’s Pete Rogers was feeling pretty good about his chances. After booting field goals of 33 and 21 yards earlier in the game against Anderson County, Rogers lined up for his potential game-winning attempt with 36 seconds to play. No problem, Rogers effortlessly converted the 37-yard kick to give the Rebels a thrilling 30-27 win over the Mavericks Thursday night in Knoxville.
“I was confident,” said Rogers, who earlier this season kicked a 45-yard field goal against Alcoa to set a school record. “I think this game will be a big morale boost for us. It will help our team a lot going into our final two region games against Halls and Powell.”
Rogers said it was the first three-field-goal game of his career. West coach Lamar Brown called it a clutch performance by Rogers. “Pete has really grown up this year,” said Brown. “He might be the most-improved player on the team.”
With the win, the two-time 5A defending state champion Rebels improved to 5-3. Meanwhile, the 4A Mavericks (6-1) dropped their first game of the season. It was the second close game in a row between the teams. Last season West edged Anderson County 8-7 in a defensive struggle.
A BACK-AND-FORTH GAME
West looked like it might blow Anderson County out as the Rebels jumped to a 17-0 lead late in the second quarter. But the Mavericks stunned West with two touchdowns by Trent Strickland in the final 55 seconds of the first half to cut the deficit to 17-14.
Strickland made a nice one-handed stab of a 40-yard touchdown toss by quarterback Landen Hensley to finally get the Mavericks on the board with 55 seconds left.
Strickland then picked off a West pass and returned it 42 yards for six points with 25 seconds remaining in the first half.
What a turnaround.
Anderson County’s momentum spilled over into the third quarter as Hensley, riding the hot hand, threw TD passes of 26 yards to Waylon LaRue and 26 yards to Riley Wolfenbarger.
Hensley finished 21 of 33 through the air for 279 yards and three TDs.
But West wasn’t done just yet. The Rebels rallied for 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as West sandwiched a 54-yard touchdown run by Messiah Wrenn between a pair of field goals by Rogers.
Anderson County drove to West’s 41 on the final possession of the game, but four consecutive passes by Hensley fell incomplete and time expired.
“We had the lead, about gave it away, but kept on fighting,” said Brown.
“It was a game of momentum swings, but we found a way to come out on top against a great football team. That’s a really good football team we beat tonight.”
WRENN RUNS TOUGH
Pound for pound, Brown said they don’t come any tougher than Wrenn, who ran for 143 yards on 23 carries against the Mavericks and scored two touchdowns. “He’s a warrior,” said Brown.
“He’s a kid who weighs about 160 pounds, but runs it hard with speed and quickness.” Wrenn scored West’s first touchdown on a 7-yard run with 6:13 to go in the second quarter to put the Rebels up 10-0. His second score was sheer determination. Wrenn shrugged off tacklers on a run through the middle, broke free and then turned on the speed for his 54-yard scoring burst that tied the score at 27-all with 7:31 to play in the fourth quarter.
GAME NOTES
The game was a contrast in styles.
West totaled 297 yards, including 251 yards on the ground and 46 through the air.
Anderson County had 328 total yards with 279 yards passing and 49 yards rushing.
LaRue, who came into the game with over 1,000 yards rushing, was held to eight yards on eight carries.
However, the speedy senior running back led Anderson County in receiving with seven catches for 81 yards.
The Mavericks were hampered by 11 penalties for 115 yards.
Article written by Mike Blackerby / 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.
