PHOTO GALLERY: Church Hill rolls over RMS

CHURCH HILL — The Church Hill defense came up big as the Panthers rolled over the Rogersville Middle School Warriors 39-0 on Tuesday in a nonconference football battle for Hawkins County bragging rights.

The Panthers started the game on offense and drove down the field to score on a touchdown catch by Connor Begley. On their next possession, the Panthers used runs by Alden Reece and Eli Garst to set up the first of two touchdown receptions by Hayden Grigsby.

Church Hill recovered an RMS fumble, which ended with Begley’s second touchdown of the game. Garst scored on the Panthers’ next drive.

The Church Hill defense held again, putting the ball back in the hands of the offense. This time, Jesse Peters would carry the load in the rushing game to set up Grigsby’s second touchdown. The final touchdown came on a run by quarterback Jansen Arnold right before the half.

“Defense was lights out all night, with Kendrick Releford, Cayden Bowen, Carson Griffith, Paxton Sword, Ethan Osborne and Brayden Wilt all being big-time contributors,” head coach Adam Hagood said.

RMS hosts Surgoinsville on Thursday, Aug. 29, for Homecoming and will welcome Rogersville City on Thursday, Sept. 5, in another Northeast Tennessee Conference matchup.

Church Hill returns to Area 1-AA competition when it hosts West Greene on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m.