Science Hill, Jefferson County Meet With Both Vying for Key Second Region Win
by TREY WILLIAMS
TriCitiesSports.com
September 19, 2019
JOHNSON CITY – Twenty-three years ago, Spencer Riley and Tennessee Volunteers teammate Ralph Nelson drove to the Citrus Bowl together to pocket some expense money and beat Ohio State because Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators cost Tennessee a shot at an SEC title.
Two years ago, Riley’s Jefferson County Patriots traveled to Steve Spurrier Field and cost Science Hill a Big East Conference title.
The Hilltoppers were heavily favored for their regular season finale, and a victory would’ve landed them the top seed in Region 1-6A. But they were blindsided by a triple-option offense Riley had cooked up while having two weeks to prepare thanks to a bye week, and the ‘Toppers haven’t completely regained their bearings since then. Science Hill, 7-2 on the season entering that game, has since gone 7-10.
The good news for Science Hill – and Jefferson County, for that matter – is the Big East doesn’t appear to be packed with heavy hitters this season, and each team has an opportunity to improve to 2-0 in the league when the Patriots (1-0, 3-1) visit Science Hill (1-0, 1-3) tonight.