TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — Cleveland High’s search for its first win of the season came up short Friday night as the Blue Raiders fell 39-20 on the road to an undefeated Tullahoma squad.
The Wildcats, now 3-0, flexed their offensive firepower once again, piling up 500 total yards while holding off a determined Cleveland side. Tullahoma standout running back Marvancy Johnson delivered a dominant showing, rushing for 222 yards on 24 carries and crossing the goal line three times. Quarterback Lucas Reed added balance through the air, completing 7-of-11 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, though he was intercepted once.
For Cleveland, junior quarterback Kason McGowan kept his team in the fight by completing 17-of-28 attempts for 259 yards and three touchdowns. His top target was Kyreece Westfield, who hauled in seven passes for 141 yards, highlighted by a 79-yard score that featured 60 yards after the catch. Quintin Jones (12-yard TD) and Caidyn Thompson (14-yard TD) also found the end zone, while Eielio Greene contributed three catches for 33 yards.
On the ground, senior running back Bra’Shaun Beard carried the load with 16 rushes for 79 yards, including a 28-yard breakaway. The Blue Raiders’ defense managed a pair of takeaways, with Camron Wilson recording an interception and Jarvus Slack recovering a fumble.
First-year head coach Chris Brown praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the work ahead.
“Our young men continue to play very hard for each other on Friday nights,” Brown said. “We have to keep emphasizing limiting mistakes in all three phases and building more depth so we can get more varsity contributors on the field.”
The game’s momentum tilted heavily in Tullahoma’s favor early, as the Wildcats jumped out to a 16-7 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Cleveland trailed by just nine entering the final period, but Johnson’s third touchdown sealed the outcome.
Defensively, Tullahoma’s Sam Bobo was a difference-maker, coming up with three interceptions.
The Blue Raiders (0-3) now turn their focus to a tough Region 2-6A opener this Friday when they host perennial powerhouse Maryville, a 17-time state champion, at Benny Monroe Stadium.
The Wildcats, now 3-0, flexed their offensive firepower once again, piling up 500 total yards while holding off a determined Cleveland side. Tullahoma standout running back Marvancy Johnson delivered a dominant showing, rushing for 222 yards on 24 carries and crossing the goal line three times. Quarterback Lucas Reed added balance through the air, completing 7-of-11 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, though he was intercepted once.
For Cleveland, junior quarterback Kason McGowan kept his team in the fight by completing 17-of-28 attempts for 259 yards and three touchdowns. His top target was Kyreece Westfield, who hauled in seven passes for 141 yards, highlighted by a 79-yard score that featured 60 yards after the catch. Quintin Jones (12-yard TD) and Caidyn Thompson (14-yard TD) also found the end zone, while Eielio Greene contributed three catches for 33 yards.
On the ground, senior running back Bra’Shaun Beard carried the load with 16 rushes for 79 yards, including a 28-yard breakaway. The Blue Raiders’ defense managed a pair of takeaways, with Camron Wilson recording an interception and Jarvus Slack recovering a fumble.
First-year head coach Chris Brown praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the work ahead.
“Our young men continue to play very hard for each other on Friday nights,” Brown said. “We have to keep emphasizing limiting mistakes in all three phases and building more depth so we can get more varsity contributors on the field.”
The game’s momentum tilted heavily in Tullahoma’s favor early, as the Wildcats jumped out to a 16-7 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Cleveland trailed by just nine entering the final period, but Johnson’s third touchdown sealed the outcome.
Defensively, Tullahoma’s Sam Bobo was a difference-maker, coming up with three interceptions.
The Blue Raiders (0-3) now turn their focus to a tough Region 2-6A opener this Friday when they host perennial powerhouse Maryville, a 17-time state champion, at Benny Monroe Stadium.