EVENSVILLE — A University of Tennessee football recruiting target helped his team capture a postseason upset in the second round of the TSSAA 5A playoffs Friday night.
Oak Ridge junior running back Kendall Jackson rushed for 74 yards and scored three touchdowns on 22 carries to help the Wildcats shut out Rhea County, 23-0.
With the victory, Oak Ridge (9-3) advances to the state quarterfinals and will have a rematch against Region 3-5A rival West High School in Knoxville.
The Rebels (11-1) defeated Oak Ridge, 22-7, this season between the two schools.
Jackson also has offers from Duke, Tulane, Arizona and Eastern Kentucky.
He missed time this season due to injury, but since his return, the Wildcats have posted six outright victories and a COVID-19 win over Fulton.
The Wildcats’ last loss came to the Rebels.