BY BRIAN HAMILTON
JOHNSON CITY – Jefferson County and Science Hill came into the game tied for first place in Class 6A Region 1 at 3-0 apiece. The Hilltoppers sent the Patriots home with a 37-0 win, however, and knocked them into second place, thanks in part to Jefferson County owning the head-to-head over Dobyns-Bennett.
“We played a complete game on both sides of the ball, which we needed,” Science Hill head coach Stacy Carter said. “I’m proud of them.”
Science Hill took an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter when Jefferson County threw the ball out of the end zone. Baylor Brock then ran for a 1-yard touchdown to put the Hilltoppers ahead 9-0 after the first quarter.
Jefferson County took a crucial blow in the first quarter, as quarterback Izaiah Hall was injured on a scramble and left the game. The Patriots’ offense would struggle to find a rhythm the rest of the game, as their biggest weapon was on the sideline.
Jaxon Diamond found Cole Torbett for a 74-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to put Science Hill in front 16-0.
A 1-yard touchdown run by Cade Fleeman, in addition to a 6-yard pass from Diamond to A.J. Martin would send the Patriots to halftime down 30-0.
Diamond threw his third touchdown of the night on a 37-yard strike to Martin for a 37-0 lead in the third quarter.
Neither team would reach the end zone in the fourth quarter, as the Hilltoppers would come away with a 37-0 shutout over the Patriots.
Science Hill’s Jaxon Diamond finished with 263 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-23 passing. He also ran 12 times for 41 yards.
The Patriots’ Jace Dobbins filled in for the injured Izaiah Hall and went 8-for-21 for just 97 yards on the night.
Jefferson County (5-3, 3-1 Class 6A Region 1) will host Morristown West (5-4) in a non-region contest. The Patriots currently sit in second place in Region 1, but face West Ridge in a crucial regional game on October 29.
Science Hill (6-3, 4-0 Class 6A Region 1) has a bye this weekend and will face Dobyns-Bennett (6-2, 3-1) in their season finale on October 29. A Jefferson County win over West Ridge and a Dobyns-Bennett win over Science Hill could send the region into chaos with a three-way tie for first place.