From the start of this high school football season, Red Bank coach Chris Brown has voiced his love for his players and made it clear he considers his staff to be of the top-tier variety.
In Friday night's 36-0 win against Rhea County at Tom Weathers Field, it was Brown's players and assistants who put together a complete performance and played with passion in a showdown of undefeated 6-0 programs - even without him there to enjoy it.
Brown served a one-game suspension a week after being ejected for arguing with game officials for not throwing flags, having done so when he believed the Lions were being deliberately hit in their knees by Sweetwater players.
"Last week Coach Brown showed how much he loves us by doing what he did and protecting us like we are his own," senior quarterback Madox Wilkey said. "We knew coming out here how bad he would want to be here with us. We played for him. He went to war for us, and we came out here to go to war for him."
A tenacious defense shut down what had been a potent rushing attack all season, holding the Eagles to 52 total yards and four first downs gained. The Lions have allowed just 54 points through seven games.
"Our defense is complete," said middle linebacker Clark Lockerby, an all-state selection last year. "We are strong and dominant up front with our defensive line. I am super proud of them. Our secondary is young and has played really well because of all the scout team reps we get.
"Our goal is to win a state championship, and we have all been grinding for that since the offseason."
Wilkey completed all four of his passes on Red Bank's opening drive for 54 yards, capping it with a 25-yard strike on the left sideline to Kel Eddins, who juked a defender for the touchdown. Red Bank's new all-time leading passer's top target Friday was Lucas Brown, who had four catches for 82 yards and a score.
Wilkey also converted a pivotal third-and-long with a 13-yard scramble and had a 15-yard rushing touchdown on a bootleg for the game's final points with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.
"I have been around Red Bank football for a long time, and to become the program's all-time leading passer last week holds a special place in my heart," said Wilkey, who was 9-of-11 passing for 157 yards against the Eagles. "There have been a lot of great players who have been here, and it's surreal to be at the top. It's crazy because I remember watching my brother play quarterback here not that long ago."
DeAngelo Ross and Rico Trimble had touchdown runs of 77 and 74 yards, respectively, as Red Bank rushed for 346 yards.
"This is a culmination of Chris Brown loving these young men and they love him back," acting head coach Ted Gatewood said. "This staff is a fantastic group of men, and these kids love to compete."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
Madox Wilkey has been money on the run off play action. Hooks up with star receiver Lucas Brown for a 20 yard score. Red Bank in full control up 22-0. 7:51 3Q. #BestofPreps pic.twitter.com/PeQDxAlhZR
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) October 12, 2019
Acting coach Ted Gatewood sends message to Red Bank who plays lights out. #BestofPreps pic.twitter.com/mFrqG9lwpg
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) October 12, 2019