There are many famous sports rematches in history. Ali vs. Frazier. The Celtics vs. Lakers. McEnroe vs. Borg. OK, it wasn’t real sports, but Rocky vs. Apollo Creed in Rocky II was classic.
They say most sequels are never very good. No one in Rockvale on Friday night would say the rematch between the Rockets and Pioneers was not an exciting sequel to last year’s game at Nunley Stadium. Not as many points were scored, but the end was thrilling. Warren County scored with :54 seconds left to win 18-13.
It was a game that felt like a boxing match. Rockvale was awarded a touchdown on a 17-yard pass and took a 13-12 lead with 1:59 left. On the sidelines, WCHS coach Matt Turner said, “We have enough time to run the ball. We can score.”
Coach Turner was half right. The Pioneers started from their own 31-yard line after Ben Rivers received the kickoff. The first play from scrimmage was a deep pass to Dante Elam, who had made big catches earlier in the game.
Rockvale was called for pass interference, a 15-yard penalty. First and 10 for the Pioneers on their own 46 with 1:49 remaining and a potential undefeated record in the balance.
On the next play, Pioneer quarterback C.J. Taylor scrambled for six yards. Second and four yards to go. C.J. then completed a pass to Clay Thompson for 11 yards for a first down with 1:01 left.
The next play was yellow 4, verts. Four receivers went deep. Kason Holder was C.J.’s second option on the play. C.J. hit Kason perfectly in stride for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
Kason said, “We spread it out and went four verts. I had one man to beat. He got his hands on me but I was able to slip inside. By the time I turned, the ball was there. C.J. put it in the right spot.”
The Pioneers went up 18-13 with :54 left and the two-point conversion failed.
Rockvale received the kickoff and moved the ball from its own 38. After the Rockets moved across midfield, Ryland Holder, Kason’s brother, made a game-clinching interception and Warren County lined up in victory formation.
All week at practice coach Turner and his coaches emphasized “do your job.” Coach Turner vowed to correct mistakes he and his team made against Cannon County. Friday night against Rockvale, Warren County played like a smart, tough football team, a big step forward from the previous week.
Coach Turner said, “It was fun to see our team gain confidence during the game. Coach Shultz gained confidence. Heck, I gained confidence. I am a keep-it-on-the-ground type of guy. What we worked on all week worked.”
Warren County passed for 163 total yards, and in this game, every yard counted.
Coach Rick Rice of Rockvale said he was surprised C.J. threw the ball so well deep. Taylor was accurate.
Coach Turner commented about C.J., “Those offers are real. You have coaches from colleges, from the Power Five conferences, breaking him down. They are willing to make a big investment in him. They see something. Our coaches and staff do as well.”
This was not a one-man show, and C.J. had plenty of help.
When Warren County went down 13-12 with 1:59 left, no one on the team hung their head. Teams of Pioneers past may have given up at after Rockvale scored. Something is different about this team. There is clearly an attitude and determination for this team to break the 29-year losing streak.
Coach Turner, a former lineman, wanted to make it clear that C.J. doesn’t make those throws, that no one catches those passes, without the line blocking. And coach Turner praised his staff. Turner said, “I took off my headset. I let my coaches call the game. Coach Shultz was up in the press box where he could be away from the emotion on the field and call a cleaner game. Coach Bond called his defense. And when coach Harris and coach Bond were through with defense, they helped me do clock management. I am very proud of how our staff came together this week.”
Scoring Summary
Warren Co. 0 12 0 6 18
Rockvale 7 0 0 6 13
First quarter
Rockvale - Grayson, 1-yd. TD run. PAT kick good.
Second quarter
Warren County - Clay Thompson 1-yd TD run. PAT kick failed.
Warren County - Kason Holder, 24-yd TD reception. 2-point conversion failed.
Fourth quarter
Rockvale - Anthony Thiphavong, 17-yd. TD reception. 2-point conversion failed.
Warren County - Kason Holder, 38-yd. TD reception. 2-point conversion failed.
