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With returning starters all over the field, the Jefferson County Patriots entered their week one matchup with Oak Ridge with high expectations.

The evening for the Patriots looked promising early, forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff and turning it into 7; but their inability to capitalize on further turnovers from the Wildcats was too much to overcome.

That initial lead would be their only of the game, as Jefferson County was defeated 30-13.

“Defensively we took the ball away. We ended up forcing five turnovers, took the ball away from them, did a poor job up front with the offensive line, really disappointed with how we played in the first half,” Jefferson County head coach Spencer Riley. “Really got our butts handed to us, they manhandled us up front in the first. You don’t expect that out of a veteran group up front, so that’s on me. I’ll make sure that won’t happen again.”

Following the opening touchdown from Omarion Mills, Oak Ridge found their answer in the shape of senior wideout Brandon Heyward.

Heyward, a 3-star recruit touting offers from the likes of Arkansas and Georgia Tech, took command of the game on the Wildcats’ first offensive drive.

Quarterback Blaine Stansberry managed to connect with him three times on the drive, totaling 51 yards, but the Patriots defense solidified once Oak Ridge found their way to the red zone.

A timely sack from Nic Moore and a pass breakup from Jaidan Jackson in the back of the endzone on third and goal forced the Wildcats to settle for a field goal, bringing the score to 7-3.

The Patriots went three-and-out on the ensuing Patriot drive, leaving the Wildcats with good field position.

Oak Ridge capitalized, with Stansberry connecting with Almani Rembert for a 45-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats the 10-7 lead.

Jefferson County started to counter on the following drive, Dallas Williamson picking up a first down off a pass from Mason Henderson; but just two plays later Rembert picked off Henderson’s pass and returned it all the way, leaving the score at 17-7 in favor of Oak Ridge.

Shawn Jackson picked up a big gain on third and four the following Jeff County drive, but a holding penalty brought it all the way back. Henderson was sacked on the next play, and the Patriots were forced to punt.

Penalties were a big story in the game, Jefferson County gave up well over 100 yards in penalty yardage.

The teams traded punts on their following drives, but with seven and change to go in the second quarter, the Wildcats started their drive in great field position due to a pair of stacking penalties on the punt for the Patriots that gave up 30 yards.

Landon Weatherford saved the drive for the defense with an interception in the endzone, giving the Patriots the ball back with 6:23 to go.

Jeff County was once again unable to capitalize on the Oak Ridge mistake, and were forced to punt the ball back, but a huge hit to knock the ball out and a recovery from Jackson gave the Patriots the ball back in plus territory.

The drive ended in another interception, however, and they were once again unable to make the most of the opportunity.

“If you can’t capitalize on turnovers, there’s something wrong,” Riley said. “We capitalized on that first one, turned it into seven points which was good, but then after that it was just back-and-forth, and we just have to be better there. When you’re playing a good football team, and they make mistakes that you don’t capitalize on and they capitalize on yours, I mean there’s your football game right there.”

The Patriots looked to get the passing game going in following drives, designing dumps to the running backs to try to get ahead of the chains in early-down situations.

They’re going to need more from the passing game going forward.

“I would like to be able to throw the ball a little bit, you know what I mean?” Riley said. “People are going to load the box on us, and they matched us up front tonight. They took it to us, and we didn’t take it to them.

“That’s a huge deal; you show a kink in your armor right off the bat. You’ve got to be able to take care of the football, and you’ve got to be able to throw the football”

The second half brought the same story with it that we saw in the first.

The Patriots defense created chances for their team, and the offense unable to capitalize.

Skylar Thomas did run in a 77-yard touchdown up the right sideline with a 1:30 remaining to put a little bit of wind in the Patriots’ sails as they prepare for Sevier County next friday.

To see a better result, they’ll have to be more physical up front and pass the ball better, Riley said.

They will also have to convert more on third down. They went 4 of 17 on third downs on the day.

“We’ve got to go work on ourselves. We’ve got to prepare for Sevier County and be ready for them, we’ve just got to do a better job of coming out and being physical,” Riley said. “That’s what’s disappointing, we were not physical at all today.”