Cloudland didn’t let the cold cool off their fiery defensive attack.
The ‘Landers advanced with a 28-7 victory over Harriman in the opening round of the TSSAA Class A playoffs at a chilly Orr Field. With the win, the ‘Landers are set to host Oliver Springs in second round action next Friday.
Against the Blue Devils, it was the Cloudland offense that was hot in the early stages.
The ‘Landers used a strong drive to open the game, and Hunter Blair dived in from four-yards out to give CHS the early lead. Hunter Shell hit Triston Lacy for the two-point conversion to give Cloudland an 8-0 advantage five minutes into the game.
Harriman was able to move the ball past midfield on the next drive, but the ‘Lander defense held strong forcing a punt. After being pinned inside the five, Gage McKinney caught a Shell pass and took it 93 yards for the touchdown to give CHS a 14-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The teams traded possessions until Harriman broke onto the board when Bradley Frost hit Kylann Love for a 71-yard touchdown to trim the CHS lead to 14-7 at the break.
In the second half, points were at a premium as the Cloudland defense rose to the occasion.
The teams traded possessions to open the third quarter, and then Dave Miller jumped on a Harriman fumble to set CHS up deep in Blue Devil territory. Blair took advantage as he scored on a six-yard run to extend the Cloudland lead to 13 points going to the fourth.
Harriman moved deep into CHS territory early in the fourth, but the defense forced them off the field on fourth down. Cloudland embarked on a seven-minute drive – that included converting four first-downs – and secured the win when Seth Birchfield scored on a three-yard run. Shell and Lacy connected again for the conversion.
Birchfield finished with 22 carries for 86 yards, while Blair had 70 yards on nine carries. Shell was 5-of-7 passing for 177 yards.
Lacy had three catches for 82 yards.
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