Photo by Robin Bambrey _ Bennett Brinson fights for extra yards in Catholic’s victory over CCS
Catholic defeated Chattanooga Christian, 36-6, last Thursday to finish with a perfect 11-0 record on the year.
It is Catholic’s second consecutive undefeated season. Prior to 2015 it had been half a century since the Rams had a perfect season. With the win, Catholic is on a 28-game win streak, unprecedented in the Rams’ 69-year football history.
While CCS put up a good fight, the game was never in doubt.
Catholic’s dominating line controlled the game as it has all season. Catholic guards Maverick Tucker and Landen Cooling opened multiple running lanes along with center Ben Bambrey. As a result, Catholic netted over 400 yards of offense.
Catholic’s opening play from scrimmage was a 70-yard touchdown by strong and speedy runner Alex Osborne. However, the play was nullified by a holding call. Catholic then proceeded with a 10- play drive culminating with an Osborne touchdown. The drive included big runs and receptions from versatile athlete River Stump.
After stifling the CCS offense (sacks recorded by Boston Eberly, Tucker and Bambrey), Catholic again mounted a long drive. Catholic went up 14-0 after another Osborne touchdown (conversion by Osborne).
CCS was never able to get its passing game in sync as shutdown-cornerbacks Eric Lindsey and Andy McGann smothered the CCS receivers.
Osborne added his third touchdown of the half on a nifty run. Charlie Menham added the conversion, giving Catholic 22 points at the half.
The second half continued Catholic’s domination. The Rams punched the ball into the end zone on a quarterback run by C.J. Petrin. Menham again added a successful conversion, making the score 30-0.
The Rams’ final score was a lightning strike pass from Bennett “Coach” Brinson to end Tucker Berry.
Late in the contest the Chargers scored, making the final 36-6 Catholic.
Maverick Tucker led Catholic in tackles. Top defenders included hard-hitting Landen Cooling and Christopher Robinson. Osborne was the leading rusher, and added a fumble recovery.
Following the contest the coaches were asked about the significance of having back-to-back undefeated seasons.
Coach Billy Dearing shared that Catholic measures success not by wins or losses, but whether “it’s a positive experience, if our players progress, and want to keep playing…that’s how we measure success.
“But, yeah, it’s great to have such a special season. These boys worked for it, are unselfish, and deserve it.”
Coach Bucky Dearing offered praise for the entire Catholic program – – “We have the most dedicated players, parents and assistant coaches (Michael Blake, Matt Madron, Andy McGann, Tim Lindsey and Rob Kidwell) anyone could ask for – – this is a team accomplishment of which we can all be proud.”
Notes _ During an entertaining half-time introduction Catholic saluted its graduating 8th graders. The group was commended for having compiled an incredible 33-1 record during their middle school tenure. The players publicly recognized their heroes (e.g., Eberly listed his dad, Cooling his mother, Tucker gave a shout out to Pope Francis, etc.), favorite sports team (e.g., Menham the Steelers, Stump the Vols, Bennett Brinson the Crimson Tide) and little known facts about themselves (Evan Nowell likes to cook, Lindsey once ate a worm).
_ L.D. Scott
Photo by Robin Bambrey _ River Stump pulls down pass over CCS defender.
