By Michael Lindsay
The 10-time defending state champion Alcoa Tornadoes (11-1) hit the road to Baxter and left with a victory Friday evening as the defeated Upperman in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, 49-28.
Upperman scored first on their opening drive as Carmine Phillips punched in a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
The Tornadoes answered with a pair of touchdowns as they scored on their opening drive, forced a fumble and scored again to take a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Bees responded again as Bronzden Chaffin punched in a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 after one quarter.
Upperman retook the lead in the second quarter as Chaffin jumped over the pile at the goal line for a score, giving the Bees a 21-14 lead.
Alcoa’s offense found the end zone again as they rushed in a touchdown to tie the game at 21-21 with 7:04 remaining until halftime.
The Tornado defense forced a fumble on Upperman’s ensuing drive and drove down the field to score again just before the half to take a 28-21 lead at halftime.
Alcoa scored twice out of the break to take a 42-21 lead late in the third period. Upperman responded on their first play of the ensuing drive as Chaffin hit Phillips on an 80-yard touchdown pass to cut their deficit to 42-28 entering the fourth quarter.
Alcoa scored once more in the fourth quarter to extend their advantage to 49-28. The Tornado defense picked off an Upperman pass midway through the fourth quarter to seal their 52nd consecutive playoff victory.
The Tornadoes (11-1) travels to Red Bank (8-4) for the quarterfinal round next week while Upperman wraps up their season at 9-3 overall.
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