Hardin Valley Academy (HVA) secured its first state‑playoff appearance since the 2018 season on Friday night, beating the 10th‑ranked Oak Ridge Wildcats 32‑21. The win moved the Hawks to a 6‑2 overall record and a 3‑2 mark in Region 2‑6A, putting them squarely in contention for the postseason.
Key moments from the game
The contest began with a chaotic kickoff when Oak Ridge’s Kyler Sachs kicked the ball, it bounced off an HVA player and was recovered by Oak Ridge’s A.J. Jones. HVA’s defense held the Wildcats early, forcing a punt after two penalties on the opponent.
Oak Ridge struck first on a 5‑yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brody Sparks to Malik Howard, taking a 7‑0 lead. HVA responded with resilience, scoring two touchdowns before halftime. Senior running back Ayden Perry broke through for a 2‑yard run, and senior quarterback Riley Matz added a two‑point conversion to give HVA an 8‑7 edge.
Later in the second quarter, Matz connected with wide receiver Nicolas Rivers for an 8‑yard score, and kicker Logan Holbrook’s extra point pushed the lead to 15‑8 with just 37 seconds left before the break.
Second‑half surge
Oak Ridge opened the second half with an 18‑play, nine‑minute drive that stalled at the HVA 1‑yard line. A fourth‑down pass in the end zone was intercepted by senior linebacker Beau Wise, preserving HVA’s lead.
On the next possession, HVA executed a motion play that left the defense exposed. Matz threw a deep pass to senior tight end Cade Evans, who raced 80 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 22‑7.
Oak Ridge answered with a quick 2‑yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Kipton Feagan, narrowing the gap to 22‑14. HVA’s junior Becks Allen then returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a score, restoring a comfortable 29‑14 advantage.
Oak Ridge fought back again, with Feagan delivering a desperation pass after a botched snap, leading to a 2‑yard touchdown run by Amari Bishop that made it 29‑21. However, HVA’s defense held firm, and a late field goal by Holbrook sealed the final 32‑21 margin.
Coaches and players reflect
Senior linebacker Beau Wise, who recorded the second‑half interception, praised his teammates: “Huge win. First time we’re going to the playoffs since 2018. I’m proud of the whole team.”
Head coach Tyler Wynn, now in his third year, emphasized the program’s growth: “This is the same group that went 1‑9 two years ago. They fought hard last season and couldn’t make the playoffs, so when you go through that hard stuff, it makes this so much more valuable.”
Quarterback Riley Matz highlighted the coaching staff’s preparation: “We noticed whenever we sent that motion over the top, the safety’s going to track him. 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.”
Defensive stalwart Beau Wise added, “Our D‑line is the heart and soul of this defense. They’re amazing. I love them so much. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Statistical snapshot
HVA amassed 304 total yards (121 rushing, 183 passing). Matz was perfect on the day, completing 5 of 5 passes for 183 yards. Rivers caught three passes for 63 yards. Oak Ridge recorded 358 total yards (66 rushing, 292 passing), with Sparks completing 21 of 38 passes for 209 yards.
Coach Wynn summed up the season’s progress: “We’ve got a phenomenal defense. 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.”
Looking ahead
With the playoff berth secured, the Hawks will prepare for their next challenge in the state tournament. The team’s turnaround from a 1‑9 record just three seasons ago underscores the power of perseverance, strong family support, and a community that rallies behind its youth.
Hardin Valley Academy’s success story offers a hopeful example for other local schools striving to rebuild their programs through faith‑centered values, disciplined coaching, and the unwavering dedication of parents and fans.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
