A fourth quarter rallied propelled the Tullahoma Wildcats to their second win of the season 28-20 over Rockvale Friday night in Rutherford County.
Trailing 20-7 entering the 4th quarter the Wildcats forced three Rockvale turnover and outscored the Rockets 21-0 in the final period to pick up the comeback victory.
After a Rockvale three and out of the opening possession Tullahoma opened the scoring by capping a 5 play 49 yard drive with a 24 yard rushing touchdown by Ryan Deby at the 8:45 mark of the first.
A pair of Tullahoma turnovers set up Rockvales two first half scores as the Rockets got on the board with five minutes left in the third after a Wildcat fumble set up Rockvale on the Tullahoam 10 yardline and on the second play of the drive Brennan Mayhew hit Brishun Odell for a 10 yard TD. However the PAT was no good keeping the Cats on top 7-6. That score held until late in the second quarter when after Tullahoma fumble set the Rockets up with another goal to go situation and Grant Gardner punched it in from a yard out. The PAT was successful this time giving the rockets a 13-7 lead at the half.
Rockvale controlled the third quarter forcing three WIldcat three and outs and wearing down the Tullahoma defense before pushing ahead by 13 with a 7 yard Mayhew touchdown run. Taking over with 32 second left in the third Tullahoma responded on the ensuing drive with a 49 yard touchdown pass from Mason Bratcher and Ethan Hargove to pull with in 7 with 10:04 left in the game.
From that point all the momentum flipped to the Cats as they forced and recovered fumbles on back to back drives each ending with touchdowns. A 21 yard pass from Bratcher (his second of the night) to Khani Johnson gave Tullahoma a one point edge with 8:55 to play in the game and then Ryan Deby extended the lead with his second score of the night from one yard out to go up 28-21 with 3:43 left to play.
After Rockvale marched into the red zone attempting to tie the game in the waning minutes Johnson sealed the victory with an intercepteion with 16 seconds left.
With the win Tullahoma improves to 2-1 on the season, while Rockvale dropped to 1-2. The Wildcats host Franklin County in the Region 5-5A opener next Friday at Wilkins Stadium. Coverage on 93.9 The Duck begins at 6:30. Rockvale is on the road at Stewarts Creek.
Photo Courtsey of Erin Douglas Silver End Photography
