That’s the last time the Hawks reached the state playoffs, and they might have clinched the first playoff spot since then with a 32-21 victory over visiting Oak Ridge.

The Hawks’ students acted accordingly, storming the field after a stunning victory over the 10th-ranked Wildcats.

“Huge win,” said senior linebacker Beau Wise, surrounded by students. “First time we’re going to the playoffs since 2018. Big win. I’m proud of the whole team.”

Third-year coach Tyler Wynn wasn’t sure about the playoff berth, though.

“I don’t even know,” Wynn said. “I’ve been worried about this game. That’s it.”

Regardless, HVA (6-2, 3-2 in Region 2-6A) certainly moved closer to a playoff berth with the victory over Oak Ridge (6-2, 2-2).

“This is the same group that went 1-9 two years ago,” Wynn said. “This same group went 5-5 and fought their tails off last year and couldn’t make it (to the playoffs), so when you go through that hard stuff, it makes this so much more valuable.”

The Hawks withstood some hard stuff Friday night against Oak Ridge.

On the opening kickoff, Oak Ridge’s Kyler Sachs’ kick bounced off a HVA player and was recovered by Oak Ridge’s A.J. Jones.

HVA’s defense held the Wildcats – with the help of two Oak Ridge penalties – and forced a punt.

The Hawks lost a second fumble on their second possession, giving the Wildcats first down at the HVA 10-yard line.

Three plays later, quarterback Brody Sparks threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Malik Howard, and the Wildcats led 7-0.

“You just stay the course,” Wynn said of the poor start. “They’ve been resilient for the past three years.”

HVA scored touchdowns on its next two possessions before halftime while forcing Oak Ridge to punt on its only possession of the second quarter.

Ayden Perry scored on a 2-yard run with 7:39 left in the second quarter.

The Hawks raced to the line of scrimmage for the two-point conversion, and senior quarterback Riley Matz ran it in for an 8-7 lead.

After forcing an Oak Ridge punt, the Hawks drove 73 yards for another touchdown.

Matz threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Nicolas Rivers, and Logan Holbrook’s PAT kick made it 15-8 with 37 seconds left in the half.

Oak Ridge got the second-half kickoff and used an 18-play drive to the HVA 1-yard line. The drive took about 9 minutes.

On fourth down at the 1, Sparks’ pass was intercepted by Wise in the end zone.

“I read the quarterback,” Wise said. “I was on my man, obviously, and I was in a good place to make a play.”

HVA started at the 20-yard line.

After Rivers ran for no gain on first down, the Hawks sent a man in motion on second down after their coaching staff noticed a defensive trend by the secondary.

Matz dropped back and threw a pass to senior tight end Cade Evans, who was open beyond the Wildcats’ linebackers and secondary.

Evans hauled in the pass from Matz and ran 80 yards for the touchdown, avoiding a diving tackle attempt as he got deep into Oak Ridge territory.

Holbrooks’ PAT kick made it 22-7 with 2:18 left in the third quarter.

Matz said the TD play was all Wynn and the coaching staff.

“We noticed whenever we sent that motion over the top, the safety’s going to track him,” Matz said. “Immediately we knew the middle of the field was going to be wide open, so we took a shot and it ended up working out.”

Oak Ridge answered with big plays.

Starting at its 20, Oak Ridge drove to the 2-yard line, largely on two plays – Sparks’ 24-yard run and a 34-yard pass from backup quarterback Kipton Feagan to Zayden Williams.

Feagan’s 2-yard TD run cut the deficit to 22-14 with 11:54 left to play.

There was no momentum for the Wildcats, however, as HVA junior Becks Allen returned the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and a 29-14 lead.

Oak Ridge wasn’t finished.

On their next drive, the Wildcats faced a fourth-and-8 situation when Feagan dropped back to punt.

The snap from center, however, went over Feagan’s head. After chasing it down, Feagan threw a desperation pass to Liam Gerber, who caught it for a 36-yard gain.

Amari Bishop’s 2-yard touchdown run trimmed the Hawks’ lead to 29-21 with 9:38 remaining.

After getting stopped, HVA got a 55-yard punt by Holbrook to the Wildcats’ 8-yard line.

Sparks threw three incompletions, and the Wildcats punted.

HVA’s next drive ended with Holbrook’s 39-yard field goal. It was 32-21 with 2:46 left.

Oak Ridge’s last drive halted when Sparks’ pass was intercepted by Rivers at the 8-yard line. Rivers returned the pick for a touchdown, but it was called back for an illegal block.

HVA then ran the clock out.

“This team has been together for as long as possible,” Matz said, “and we’re just starting to reap the rewards. It just feels awesome.”

HVA gained 304 total yards (121 rushing, 183 passing).

Matz completed 5 of 5 passes for 183 yards. Rivers had three catches for 63 yards.

Oak Ridge gained 358 total yards (66 rushing, 292 passing).

Sparks completed 21 of 38 passes for 209 yards.

“We’ve got a phenomenal defense,” Wynn said. “It starts with those kids who bought in. Those seniors bought into what we were doing. We’ve got a tremendous staff over there on the defensive side.”

Wise said the defense starts with the linemen.

“Our D-line is the heart and soul of this defense,” Wise said. “They’re amazing. I love them so much. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Article written by Dave Link/5Star Preps. To read more on area high school sports or to see photo galleries, videos, stat leaders, etc., visit 5StarPreps.com — and use promo code HAMMERS for 30% off your first year or month subscription.

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