Sequatchie County beats Tyner for first time, claims first playoff win since 2018.

BY JEFF CATE (TEAM FYN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR) – Friday night was a special night in Dunlap for head coach Rusty McIntyre and the Sequatchie County football program. The Indians knocked off the defending 2A state champion Tyner Rams 30-26 in a 3A first round playoff matchup for their first playoff victory since 2018, but it would also be the first time in school history that Sequatchie County defeated Tyner in 23 matchups.

Jamarie Ballard got things started for Tyner when he raced in from 14 yards out to give the Rams an early 6-0 lead less than 4 minutes into the game (the 2-point conversion attempt was no good). Sequatchie County would tie the game at 6-6 when Kason Hicks rumbled into the end zone with 1:15 left to go in the first quarter, but the extra point was blocked. The Indians special teams would make up for the PAT block by recovering the ensuing kickoff that Tyner was unable to get control of and Sequatchie County set up shop near midfield going into the second quarter.

Sam Evitts would find Braylon Long on the first play of the second quarter for his first of 2 touchdown passes on the night, this one from 32 yards out and the Indians took their first lead of the game 13-6 with 11:52 remaining in the first half. Evitts would go 16 for 26 for 229 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. Ballard would get into the endzone for the second time, breaking 4 tackles as he crossed the goal line. Tyner was hit with a personal foul which pushed the ball past the 10-yard line, forcing a 2-point conversion attempt on a Ballard pass the was well thrown but the Rams’ receiver could not quite bring it in. That made the score 13-12 Indians with 4:40 left in the quarter. Evitts’ second touchdown of the first half came on a 40-yard pass to Jackson Tate, who would have 96 total yards receiving and the touchdown on the night. The point after made it 20-12 Indians with 3:35 left in the half. Tyner would go on a 3 minute, 20 second drive to end the first half on a high note for the visitors from Tyner Road. Ballard would use his arm to get points for the Rams as he found Biship Smith for a 25-yard score on 4^th and 3. Jaeden Isbell would score on the 2-point attempt and the score at halftime was knotted up at 20-20.

@JayDoLo15 just missed his receiver in the end zone but found @BishipSmith_ on 4th & 3 for a big TD with 15 secs left in the half! The 2 pt try was good so @tyner_football & @SeqFootball are tied 20-20 @OffTheBenchCHA @redzonescores @jlsimsy @curtredzone @cmainor15

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The second half began the same way for the Indians as it did in the first half, getting points on a Hicks from 5 yards out to give Sequatchie County the lead back 27-20 with 8:07 left in the third quarter. Sequatchie County’s defense would get a big turnover on downs with Tyner on the move inside the Indians’ 35-yard line, giving their offense a chance to get more points going into the final 12 minutes.

Evitts and the offense would face a 3^rd and 16, no problem for the Indians as Evitts left the pocket and found Hunter Minton on the far sideline for 18 yards.

@SamEvitts8 finds @HunterMinton15 for 18 yards on 3rd and 16 to keep @SeqFootball’s drive alive with less than 9 mins left! #OTB423 #WGOWRedZone30 @OffTheBenchCHA @redzonescores @jlsimsy @CorePower @97_sports @sportscowboy @Carlito25Way @SOTGsmoke @curtredzone @jevitts03

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Sequatchie County was able to convert on 4^th down on the same drive as Tripp Stewart got to the edge and gained 21 yards down to the Rams’ 5-yard line. The drive stalled out but the Indians were able to get points on a short field goal attempt that extended the lead to 30-20 with 2:28 left in the game.

@TrippStewart9’s 21 yard run on 4th down gets @SeqFootball inside the 5, the drive stalls but SC gets points on a FG to push their lead over @tyner_football to 30-20; 2:28/4Q @OffTheBenchCHA @jlsimsy @CorePower @97_sports @sportscowboy @Carlito25Way @SOTGsmoke @curtredzone

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The drive would take over 12 minutes of game time off the clock, not giving Tyner much time to get something going. The defending state champions from 2A last year got something going on their next drive. Ballard found Robert Wilson in the end zone with 58 seconds left for his second passing touchdown of the night and fourth overall, cutting the Indians’ lead to 30-26 (2-point conversion attempt was no good). Tyner had a chance to get the ball back on the onside kick attempt but the ball rolled just past the white jerseys near the ball and out of bounds, giving the ball to Sequatchie County. The Indians looked to have fumbled with a Tyner recovery but the officials call the back down and Sequatchie County was able to get the victory and advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Tyner finishes the 2023 season 4-7 in head coach Christian Mainor’s first season at the helm of the Rams. Sequatchie County (7-4 overall) advances to take on undefeated Meigs County (11-0 overall) in the second round of the 3A playoffs.

Follow Jeff Cate on “X” at @TheJeffCate