WILDCAT WIN: County battle goes Tharptown’s way
Colton Simmons’ and Dominic Baker’s one-two punch was too much for Vina, as the Wildcats ran past the Red Devils 47-0 in both teams’ season finale.
Although neither team made the playoffs, they are the only teams in Franklin County to each play a complete season.
Simmons and Baker combined for 378 yards rushing for Tharptown. Simmons carried the ball 16 times for 214 yards and four touchdowns, and Baker carried the ball 15 times for 164 yards and touchdown. Baker also passed for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
“I am proud of the resiliency our guys showed after a couple of turnovers in the first half,” said Tharptown Coach Kevin Lacey. “Our defense played well all night, despite a couple of big pass plays on well-covered receivers. We were still able to keep them out of the end zone. We were able to have a big night offensively. Vina played tough, and our offensive numbers weren’t easy, but our guys played tough and found a way to get it done.”
Tharptown scored the first touchdown with 5:48 to go in the first quarter on a 16-yard pass from Baker to Nicholas Chaney. Hunter White added the point after to give Tharptown a 7-0 lead.
Simmons scored the first of his four touchdowns with 8:49 to go in the second quarter on a 45-yard run to give the Wildcats a 13-0 lead.
Baker completed his second touchdown pass with 5:33 to go in the second quarter. This time it was a 24-yard lob to Josh Riley giving the Wildcats a 19-0 lead.
Simmons extended Tharptown’s lead to 25-0 early in the third quarter on a 4-yard run.
Tharptown’s next scoring drive was all Baker, who had two big runs to get the one-yard line, where he powered through the Vina defense for the score. Baker converted a two-point conversion run to give the Wildcats a 33-0 lead with 3:18 to go in the third quarter.
Vina threatened early in the fourth quarter, but Tharptown’s Jonny Jeronimo intercepted the Red Devil pass at the goal line to stop the drive.
Tharptown capped off scoring with two touchdown runs of 18 yards and 24 yards by Simmons in the fourth quarter.
Tharptown ends the season with a 4-6 record.
