Winning continues for RCHS with defeat of Cleburne County

RCHS continued its pattern of dominant first half play as the Tigers jumped out to a 28-0 lead before cruising to a 42-14 win over Cleburne County Friday.

Cleburne County managed just one offensive touchdown, and that came on its final possession of the game after the RCHS starters had given way to the backups. The Tigers defense allowed just 91 total yards to keep 5A Cleburne County without a victory thus far this season.

“It was just good that we came out and took care of business and didn’t let them hang around,” said RCHS head coach Pat Prestridge. “Yeah, it’s good to beat a 5A, but they’re young. They’re playing a lot of young guys. But our guys rose up and took care of business.”

RCHS got it done offensively with a balanced running attack and a perfect night from quarterback Brody Wortham.

Wortham completed all six of his pass attempts for 87 yards and a touchdown. His 15-yarder to E.J. Clark got the Tigers on the board in the first quarter and staked them to a 7-0 lead.

Meanwhile, seven different ball-carriers went for 20 or more yards for RCHS. Aaron Knight led the charge with 66 yards on 11 carries. Trent Lane added 47 yards and two touchdowns on six rushes, while Wortham, Donte Davenport, Jagar Anthony, Jai Wright and Antonio Morgan all made meaningful contributions to a running game that totaled 318 yards on the ground.

“The offensive line has been doing a lot better blocking, as far as run blocking,” Prestridge said. “We’ve got to improve on our pass blocking. But if you can run the ball, it opens up the passing a little bit. We had a few passes, 87 yards, that’s pretty good for six passes.”

RCHS managed that offensive output despite the absence of receiver Andrew Prestridge, who sat out the game with an ankle injury. Clark, who caught a total of two passes for 36 yards Friday and has a team-leading three touchdown catches for the season, has helped pick up the slack in Andrew Prestridge’s absence.

“E.J.’s been catching the ball well. There might be certain plays we call for Andrew to catch, and he gives us a better threat out there,” coach Prestridge said. “E.J.’s been doing well at tight end, but [Andrew] makes people honor the pass a little more too and opens up the running game a little bit more.”

RCHS is now 5-1 on the season. The Tigers return to region play this week when they travel to Pleasant Valley Friday.