Tennessee GOW: Rhea County Takes Down Soddy-Daisy 35-13

Rhea County runs away from Soddy-Daisy 35-13 to make up for last year's loss.

Written By: Jay Pace (@TheRealPace)

Rhea County flips the script: bully-ball, takeaways power 35–13 revenge win over Soddy-Daisy

Soddy-Daisy — What a difference a year makes.

In his very first game as Rhea County’s head coach last fall, Taylor Harvey watched his Eagles fall in a wild 49–42 shootout to Soddy-Daisy and fellow first-year coach Josh Owensby.

Fast-forward 385 days, and the rematch told a far different story. On his 43rd birthday, Harvey’s unbeaten Golden Eagles delivered a statement, pounding the Trojans 35–13 on the road Friday night in the OnDaMarcSports.com Tennessee Game of the Week.

“For my birthday, I told our guys I just wanted them to travel and not leave anything in the travel bag,” Harvey said with a grin.

Rhea County (4-0, 2-0 Region 3-5A) leaned on its identity, a bruising run game and a swarming defense. The two-headed backfield of Mason Ford and Aiden Wilkerson powered the offense, while a relentless pass rush forced four turnovers to flip momentum again and again.

Ford was the workhorse, slicing through the Trojan defense for 205 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries. Wilkerson added 48 yards and three scores on eight rushes, giving Rhea County the balance and physicality it wanted.

“Tonight meant everything to us,” Ford said afterward. “We circled this date and worked our tails off. It means more to us than anything.”

The win gives the Golden Eagles sole possession of first place in the region, with the inside track to a coveted home playoff game.

“We’re trying to have a home game in Week 11,” Harvey said. “So being 2-0 in the region is big.”

For Rhea County, it wasn’t just revenge, it was a statement that the Eagles are built to bully, built to last, and built for November.

— Jay Pace