BY JEFF CATE (TEAM FYN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Two of Hamilton County’s most historic public school programs met at Red Bank Community Stadium in what was classified as a “home” game for the Tyner Rams with construction of new facilities still ongoing on Tyner’s campus. The Lions would do what they’ve done on their home field all but 2 times during the regular season since 2020: win. Josiah Featherstone and Olivir Merritt combined for 214 yards rushing to lead Red Bank to a 24-8 opening night victory over Tyner.

Tyner looked to be in position to score the first points of 2024 but a missed opportunity on the Rams’ first possession and not being able to take advantage of a Red Bank turnover would give the Lions’ an opportunity to make the first dent on the scoreboard. Featherstone would do just that with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run to put Red Bank up 7-0, which would be the score at the end of the quarter.

Tyner would threaten to even the score early in the second quarter, getting inside the red zone after a huge 33-yard completion from Quiante Price to Avery Ford on 4^th and 18.

Red Bank’s defense would hold on 4^th and goal from the 5-yard line when Price’s pass into the end zone fell incomplete with Chaise Tillman and Cayden Loveless defending for the Lions. Red Bank would go 95 yards on the next drive, with the final 24 yards coming from Merritt on a touchdown run for a 14-0 Red Bank lead with 5:52 remaining in the half, a two-touchdown advantage they would take to the half. Rams’ defensive back Dominique Edwards got hands on Merritt at the 7-yard line, but couldn’t bring the junior down until Merritt hit paydirt. Merritt would tote the rock 8 times for 94 yards and the touchdown. The big play on this drive was Loveless hauling in a 56-yard pass from Logan McGinnis from inside their 10-yard line to get inside Tyner territory.

The only points that were put up on the board in the third quarter came on a 21-yard Joe Thompson field goal to give Red Bank a 17-0 lead with less than 4 minutes left in the quarter.

McGinnis connected with Drayden Collier less than three minutes into the 4^th on a 25-yard touchdown pass on 4^th and 19 to give the Lions a 24-0 lead. McGinnis would go 6 of 11 for 208 yards passing and the touchdown. Collier’s touchdown reception account for over half of his 48 total yards on the night. Backup quarterback Tyler Anderson came in for Tyner on the next possession and gave the Ram Train offense some coal for the locomotive. Anderson led them team down the field, hitting a 30 plus yard completion and scrambled out of the pocket to get into the end zone from 18 yards out to get Tyner on the board with 6:51 left to cut the Red Bank lead to 24-8 after the successful 2 point conversion.

Red Bank opens the season 1-0 for the third straight season and will host Rhea County on 8/30. Tyner looks to get their first win of the year when the Rams travel to Bradley Central.

Follow Jeff Cate on “X” at @TheJeffCate