First Round Playoffs Brings Pioneers to Bob Black Field

After a one year hiatus, the Falcons are back in familiar territory and host the East Ridge Pioneers from Chattanooga in the First Round of the 2009 4A Playoffs. The Pioneers finish the regular season 7-3, on a 4 game winning streak and clinch a playoff birth with a 10-0 victory over district rival Chattanooga Central in week 9. East Ridge’s only losses came at the hands of Red Bank, Bradley Central and Tyner.
The Pioneers, who lost in the first round of last years playoffs to Semifinalist White House 39-0, are lead by second year head coach Mike Martin. Martin is a 1986 graduate of Sweetwater High and attended Tennessee Weslyan College. Prior to East Ridge, he was the head coach at Meigs County for 5 years and amassed a record of 34-16.

Their overall playoff record is 2-10 and best years were 1997 and 2001, when they advanced to the second round. The Pioneers sport a hardnosed defense that is led by tackles Ben Hunsucker (6’0”, 245) and Logan Roberts (6’0”, 235) and linebacker Clinton Harris (6’1’, 180). Other lineman standouts include Zach West (6’2”, 265), Branden Morgan (6’3”, 245), Keyonte Bush (6’0”, 255) and twins Micah and Makal Kidd. The skill positions are led by 2008 All-Region performer DB/WR Dominique King, who has recorded 6 interceptions the past two years. Other standouts include backs Josh Francisco, Breuante King and Chase Steele, and quarterback Jerrell Quarles.

East Ridge 2008 Results:
Silverdale Academy W 34-9
Red Bank L 7-38
Bradley Central L 10-28
Brainerd W 12-7
Sweetwater W 41-0
Tyner Academy L 12-27
Hixson W 35-7
East Hamilton W 47-7
Chattanooga Central W 10-0
Howard W 20-18

East Ridge v East Hamilton Week 8