Big rally gives BHS first victory
KNOXVILLE — The third time turned out to be the charm for Bearden High School’s football team Friday night as the Bulldogs notched their first win of the season.
Bearden played against a third consecutive state champion late last week, and the Bulldogs finally left the field with a victory, outlasting 2022 Class 4A state champ Anderson County 45-27 at BHS Bill Young Field Sept. 1.
Things looked bleak for Bearden (1-2) early, falling behind in the first quarter as the Mavericks (0-3) led 14-0 with 17 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
The Bulldogs, however, scored the next 35 points to take control of the contest. Bearden found the end zone four times in the second stanza, and then opened the third quarter with a 94-yard kickoff return from Tory Beaufort to hold a 35-14 lead.
Beaufort also hauled in a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Drew Parrott. Jayzon Thompson, the Bulldogs’ sophomore running back, scored three touchdowns on the ground as he had a pair of 1-yard TD plunges and a 7-yard scoring scamper. Jaheim Merriweather also had a rushing touchdown.
Thompson said that he was concerned after the Bulldogs fell behind early.
“To be honest, I was a little scared because we didn’t want go 0-3, but I knew we would come back,” Thompson said. “I really think that we have the best running backs in the state.”
The Bulldogs certainly impressed Anderson County coach Davey Gillum.
Bearden was thought to be the best 0-2 team in Tennessee, a sentiment Gillum not shares, but he showered Bearden with even more praise.
“I’ll take it even further than that,” he said. “I think they’re the best team in the state,” he said. “They pushed West around and they pushed Alcoa around. Those teams just had miracle plays and beat them.
“They’re so big on the offensive and defensive lines, and they wore us down. They have so much depth and they can roll a lot of receivers out there. We’re banged up right now. We lost both of our starting safeties early tonight and those guys both play on offense too.”
Bearden kicker Daniel Kinney kicked a 40-yard field goal late in the third quarter to make it, 38-21, after Hall connected with Trent Strickland on 6-yard scoring strike to pull the Mavericks to within 35-21.
Bearden coach Josh Jones commended his team for its effort and perseverance.
“Anderson County has a great coaching staff and coach Gillum does a great job,” Jones said “But our guys battled and we controlled the line of scrimmage.
“Our kids played well against Anderson County. They may be 0-3, but that’s a state championship team over there.”
Next up for the Bulldogs: Bearden’s first win couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. The victory gave the Bulldogs some momentum heading into a bye week.
BHS will return to action on Sept. 8 as they take on Hardin Valley Academy in the Region 2-6A opener for both schools.
“We’ll have a week off and then we’ll open the region against Hardin Valley,” Jones said. “They’re another good team and we’re really excited about that.”
