Smith County High School vs. East Ridge High School

East Ridge, TN (WDEF) – It’s playoff time in Tennessee, and perhaps no team is more excited to be in the post-season than East Ridge High School.

The Pioneers are coming off a perfect regular season, and played against Smith Country Friday night.

East Ridge was hoping to snag their first playoff victory since 2001.

After a 3 and out stop in the Owls opening drive, East Ridge gifted them with a roughing the kicker penalty, and the Owls exploited the opportunity.

3 plays later and QB Carson Hackett lofts one in the end zone to Shermar King, who takes a bow.

8-0 Smith County.

Pioneers answer back with this Eric Bennett hand off to Traneil Moore who takes it in for the touchdown.

Again Moore gets East Ridge on the doorstep with this 25 yard run, and then punches it in for the go ahead score.

East Ridge 14-8.

Owls re-take the lead with this 15 yard toss into the end zone hitting Bailey Kemp.

Owls 15-14 at the half.

Third quarter, East Ridge down 21-14.

Again Moore doing the work with his legs, breaks this one open for a 70ish yard touchdown, to bring the Pioneers back even.

Owls go ahead again with this touchdown pass and hard run by Matthew Rutherford in the heavy rain.

But the Pioneers answer back again, this time with a Bennett pass to Moore, who again does the rest with his legs, working it all the way back across the field, and back into the end zone to tie the score at 28.

Game went to overtime tied at 28.

East Ridge scored first and hung on to win 35-28.

Pioneers will host CCS next week.