Tyner Academy Holds Off Red Bank To Remain Unbeaten In Memorable 21-20 Win.

Tyner Academy remains unbeaten after a close call against Red Bank, getting the win 21-20,

Written By: Jay Pace (@The Real Jay Pace)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —

Dion Edwards simply wouldn’t be denied.

The do-it-all, two-way star for fifth-ranked Tyner Academy was the focal point of a Red Bank defense determined to slow down the Rams’ high-octane offense, particularly Edwards and senior quarterback Tyler Anderson. Both are a part of an offense that is averaging nearly 350 passing yards through the first two weeks of the season.

To their credit, the Lions were largely successful. They held Anderson well below his season average and limited Edwards to just four receptions.

But despite Red Bank’s best efforts to keep the ball out of Edwards’ hands, his fingerprints were  all over Tyner Academy’s thrilling 21–20 victory over the Lions.

Early Fireworks

On the game’s opening possession, Anderson connected with Edwards on a 15-yard touchdown strike to give Tyner Academy an early 7–0 lead.

Red Bank responded by leaning on senior running back Olivier “Tank” Merritt, who capped a drive with a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 with 4:33 left in the first quarter.

A Defensive Struggle 

From there, the offensive fireworks gave way to a defensive slugfest, as two heavyweight defenses went toe-to-toe for the rest of the night.

Late in the second quarter, with Red Bank on the move, Tyner Academy’s Jumocka Willis scooped up a loose fumble and rumbled 74 yards for a touchdown. Willis scored his second defensive touchdown in as many weeks, putting the Rams ahead 14–7.

The Lions answered again on the ensuing drive, with Merritt punching it in from a yard out to tie things at 14.

Tyner Academy regained the lead before halftime when Anderson capped off a drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, giving the Rams a 21–14 edge heading into the locker room.

Order Restored

The defensive struggle continued throughout the second half, with both teams struggling to gain offensive traction. Off the field distractions complicated things on the gridiron by causing a 30-minute delay in play caused by multiple altercations between fans outside the stadium.

After order was restored, Red Bank’s Jacolbi Salley scored on a 3-yard run to bring the Lions within one point.

But that was as close as they would get. Edwards blocked the ensuing PAT to preserve Tyner Academy’s one-point lead.

Red Bank had one final chance to steal the win in regulation, but Edwards sealed the game with a clutch interception of Austin Jones’ pass.

The win was Tyner Academy’s first in the series since a dominant 49–13 victory in 2013.