Unbeaten Webb advances to Div. II-AA state semis
KNOXVILLE — Dave Meske’s storied career as head football coach of Webb School of Knoxville will have at least one more game Friday night.
Meske, in his 38th and final season at the Spartans helm, saw his squad turn a close first-half into a convincing 49-24 win over Davidson Academy in the quarterfinal round of the TSSAA Division II-AA state playoffs Nov. 4 at David Meske Stadium.
“I’m glad that I get another week with these guys. I really am,” said Meske, whose team stays perfect at 10-0. “They’re great kids to be around. They’re not selfish. They’re easy to coach.”
Spartans junior running back Jalen Hill scored five touchdowns — four on the ground — to lead Webb. For the game, Hill gained 151 yards on 15 carries, and also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Charlie Robinson.
“I was very anxious to get back out there,” Hill said, referring to missing four games due to a foot injury. “I was so excited. I had to get back in the rhythm of things, but after I picked up speed I got those five touchdowns.”
“Jalen had a great night tonight,” Meske said. “But Baxter (Johnson), the games that he filled in, he did a wonderful job, so we’ve got two running backs that can play.”
Johnson, a freshman, completed the Spartans’ scoring with a 7-yard run.
Linebackers Joey Bonifacio and Cooper Cameron were huge on defense for Webb with 15 tackles each.
Meske, who has seven state championships to his credit, knows his boys will have to play great against the Mustangs to get his eighth.
“We’ll throw it out there and see what happens,” he said.
