BY JEFF CATE (TEAM FYN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR)

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The 50^th meeting all-time between Cleveland and Bradley Central was a battle of teams looking to end the 2024 season on high notes. The Blue Raiders were looking to snap a 3-game losing streak while the Bears were looking for momentum with their 4 total returning starters from Bradley Central’s 2023 state semifinal squad. This golden edition of the battle for Bradley County would have shades of blue and red as Cleveland knocked off Bradley Central 14-13 Friday night at Bear Stadium.

Both teams spent the first quarter figuring each other out, with neither team putting a mark on the scoreboard and heading into the second set of 12 minutes tied up 0-0. The Bears would be on the move early in the second quarter after getting possession at the Blue Raiders’ 31-yard line, but David Yancey would get an interception for Cleveland at the CHS 2-yard line to stop the Bradley Central threat.

David Yancey hauls in an interception for Cleveland

The Blue Raiders would drive 98 yards and get the first points of the contest on a 6-yard AJ Westfield touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead with 5:25 left in the first half. Bradley Central would answer on the following possession, driving 75 yards and getting a touchdown on a 37-yard Tucker Cook to Kaden Cantrell pass to tie the game 7-7 with 1:09 left in the second quarter. The Bears were going to get the ball first to start the second half after tying the matchup, but the Blue Raiders had other plans in regards to the halftime score. Cleveland drove 68 yards in just under a minute to retake the lead 14-7 when Kason McGowan connected with Reggie Hubbard on a 22-yard pass. Isaiah Davis would have a 22-yard run to get inside Bradley Central territory.

The third quarter would begin with turnovers on both teams. Bradley Central would be unable to get control of the second half kickoff and Cleveland would take over with excellent field position inside the Bears’ 20-yard line after Hubbard recovered.

Cleveland’s Reggie Hubbard after his recovery vs. Bradley Central.

Davis would put the ball on the turf on the very next play, which Bradley Central would recover at their 18-yard line. The Bears would put a nice drive together, highlighted by two 4^th down conversions in addition to a 27 yard pass to get inside the red zone. But the drive would stall, forcing a 30-yard field goal attempt that was no good.

Kyree Scott would haul in another interception for the Cleveland “Legion of Blue” defense at the CHS 2-yard line to end another Bradley Central drive, but the Bears’ defense would hold and force a punt that gave the black and gold excellent starting field position at the Cleveland 39-yard line. The Bears would cash in this time, getting points on a 1-yard Kenyon Phelps touchdown run with 4:25 remaining in the game. But the special teams woes would continue for the Bears as the extra point attempt was no good, allowing Cleveland to keep the lead 14-13 which would be the difference. The Blue Raiders would rush the field as the clock hit all zeros and the weight of 2 different losing streaks would be lifted off of the boys from Raider Drive. The win snaps a 9-game Bradley Central winning streak in addition to a 3-game skid over the last 3 matchups this year against Charlotte Christian (NC), Bearden, and region champion Maryville.

Davis and Phelps would each go over 100 yards rushing on 20 plus carries for their teams. Davis would end the night with 144 yards on the ground on 22 touches for the Blue Raiders while Phelps would record 130 yards on 29 carries and the touchdown for the Bears.

“Some coaches try to downplay the rivalry and say it’s just like any other game”, Cleveland head coach Chandler Tygard said. “We did the opposite; we’ve been talking about this game for 365 days. You can’t change the program to where you are competing with the Bearden’s and Maryville’s in our region if you don’t win your county first.”

Cleveland improves 6-3 overall and 2-2 in region play. The Blue Raiders will hit the road to take on Hardin Valley on Thursday night. Bradley Central falls to 3-6 overall (1-3 in the region) and will play at Bearden on Friday night.

Follow Jeff on “X” at @TheJeffCate