Wildcats clinch first playoff berth since ’86

LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. - The playoff drought is history for Lawrence County.

The Wildcats clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 1986 with a 36-7 victory over Tullahoma on Friday night. They'll learn their playoff opponent today when the Class 5A pairings are released by the TSSAA.

With the win, Lawrence County finishes second in District 8-AAA.

"It is a credit to our players and coaches to bounce back after those first two losses of the year," Lawrence County head coach David Marston said. "The program has come a long way from the Giles County game. I knew we were a better team than what we showed against them."

Junior running back Trent Garland led Lawrence County (8-2,4-1) with 161 yards and three touchdowns. He was followed by senior Harry Douglas, who chipped in two touchdowns with 103 yards rushing on 17 carries.

The Wildcats gained 358 yards of total offense, all on the ground, while allowing only 99 yards of total offense to Tullahoma (4-6,3-2).

Lawrence County scored 22 points in the first quarter with Douglas scoring on a 47-yard run and a 1-yard run.

Garland added a 61-yard run for his first touchdown, and then scored on a 24-yard run to give the Wildcats a 29-0 halftime lead.

Garland scored on another 24-yard run with 5:08 to play in the third quarter.

Lawrence County's streak of scoreless quarters ended at seven when Zach Bryson scored for Tullahoma from 9 yards out in the fourth quarter.