By Michael Lindsay
The Cookeville Cavaliers opened the 2024 season in the win column Friday night as they traveled to Crossville and took down Stone Memorial, 35-12.
“I’m proud of the resiliency and fight from our guys,” said Cookeville head coach Taylor Hennigan. “We stayed the course and I thought our physicality wore them down.”
The Cavaliers racked up 304 rushing yards including 125 on 12 attempts from quarterback Blake Owen and 115 on 16 carries by running back Thomas Johnson. Owen rushed in two touchdowns and threw for a third in the win.
“We were pounding the rock,” said Owen. “They (Stone Memorial) have a great defense; we just had a couple more plays work.”
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Cavaliers struck first with 11:04 remaining in the second period as a 21-yard rush by Owen set up a 1-yard touchdown run on the ensuing play to give the Cavaliers a 7-0 lead. Cookeville followed with another score with 2:17 left until halftime as Johnson powered in a touchdown from inside the 5-yard line to give his team a 14-0 lead.
Following a defensive stop, the Cavaliers got the ball back with 1:23 remaining in the second period before Stone Memorial senior Konner Melton intercepted a Cavalier pass and returned it to the 30-yard line.
The Panthers found pay dirt as quarterback Noah Potter connected with Carson McCoy with 28 seconds left in the period to cut Stone Memorial’s deficit to 14-6 at halftime.
Cookeville pushed their lead back to two possessions on the first play of the second half as Joseph Owens returned the opening kickoff in the third period 90 yards for a touchdown to give his team a 21-6 lead.
The Cavaliers tacked on tow more touchdowns in the second half as Owens powered in a 4-yard touchdown run followed by a 48-yard touchdown pass to Caden Sisco to put his team ahead 35-6.
“Blake’s efficiency throwing the football is underrated,” said Hennigan. “We have a bunch of guys he can throw the football to.”
Potter rushed in the game’s final touchdown from 9 yards out with 6:23 remaining to make the final score 35-12 in favor of Cookeville.
the 1-0 Cavaliers are scheduled to host PURE Academy next week while Stone Memorial is slated to host Sweetwater.
