Friday Night Preview: Rhea County (6-0) hosts Soddy Daisy (4-2) for Homecoming
When: Friday 7:30pm
Where: Bill Horton Field, Evensville, TN
The 2014 Rhea County Homecoming celebration is set for this Friday night’s game against the Soddy Daisy Trojans. Last year Rhea County broke a two-game win streak with a convincing 56-20 win at Soddy Daisy High School. The Golden Eagles are expected to do much of the same Friday, but the Trojan’s ARE talented enough to take the Eagles to task.
Where Soddy Daisy has the edge:
Despite falling at home to McMinn County last week, 37-34, the Trojans are led by a talented quarterback in senior Hunter Maynor. Maynor posted five touchdown passes in their season opener against Hixson for a 49-36 win. The team also got it done against a tough Red Bank team 43-30.
Look for Trojans coach Justin Barnes to test the Eagles’ secondary come Friday.
Where Rhea County has the edge:
Although Rhea County’s has accumulated the majority of their yards on the ground (over 320 yards per game average), look for coach Mark Pemberton to stretch out this Trojan defense with an aerial attack of their own. Junior quarterback Daniel Dotson has only started two games in his career, and last week he found his offensive line crowded in the second half by an aggressive Cavalier front seven.
Look for more screen and play-action passes necessary for Pemberton’s signature Wing-T offense to hit on all cylinders. Of course you can expect plenty of yards produced by the Golden Eagles dynamic running game.
Defensively, Rhea County’s front seven will likely get to know Hunter Maynor well. They have made themselves home in opponents’ backfields, and you should expect nothing different come Friday.
Series History:
Rhea County and Soddy Daisy football programs share a rich history and storied series that goes back to 1974. Rhea County has gotten the best of the Trojans throughout the years leading the series 20-13. However. The majority of that success was found in the first 14 meetings in which Rhea County won every game except for the first.
Soddy Daisy has since won 12 of the last 19 contests with the Golden Eagles. This year’s match-up will mark the 20th year in which the two teams have played every year.
Coaches’ Corner:
Coach Mark Pemberton recognizes the challenge posed by the incoming Trojans.
“We have a good football team coming in,” said Pemberton after watching his team stun undefeated Cookeville last Friday.
“Soddy is a good football team. We have to get better in some areas especially offensively,” adds Pemberton.
Prediction:
Rhea County 48, Soddy Daisy 7
