Bearden football beats Maryville for first time since 1993, breaking 18-game losing streak to Rebels
Bearden got a rare win over Tennessee high school football juggernaut Maryville on Friday night.
Bearden beat the Rebels 21-20 in overtime for just the third win in the series and first since 1993. Maryville had won the last 18 games over Bearden.
Maryville failed to convert a two-point conversion on its overtime possession. Ory Vananda-Walker scored on a 5-yard TD run, but was stopped short of the goal line on his 2-point run attempt.
Bearden took a 21-14 lead in overtime when Jayzon Thompson scored on a 2-yard TD run after getting the ball to start the extra period. Daniel Kinney kicked the PAT for what would be the game winner.
More: TSSAA football scores: Week 7 East Tennessee high school football scoreboard
Thompson finished with 197 yards and three TDs on 27 carries for the Bulldogs (4-2, 3-0 in Region 2-6A). Bearden won despite attempting just two passes. Torian Riggins added 27 yards on seven carries for Bearden.
Maryville leads the series 25-3-1. Bearden also beat Maryville in 1990. The two teams tied in 1966. The Bulldogs are the second Knox County team to beat the Rebels this season. West beat Maryville 21-14 on Sept. 8.
Price Davis had 104 yards on 20 carries to lead the Rebels (4-3, 1-2). Vananda-Walker had 15 carries for 85 yards and two TDs. Will Jones was 8-of-11 passing for 56 yards for the Rebels with a 4-yard TD pass to Matthew Covert.
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@gannett.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @Kreager.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA football: Bearden beats Maryville for first time since 1993
