The Cumberland County Jets have returned from a three-game road trip that divided the middle of the football season. After visits to Kingston and Howard over the last two weeks, CCHS traveled to McMinn Central last Friday in Englewood.
After splitting the first two games of the trip, Cumberland County dropped a 40-0 decision to the MCHS Chargers.
“We struggled to move the ball on offense,” said Cumberland County Coach Noah Repasky. “We had trouble on the perimeter with our defense. Their speed and athleticism gave us a lot of problems.”
The loss drops Cumberland County to 1-5 on the season, while McMinn Central improves to 3-2.
Things didn’t go Cumberland County’s way early in the first half. The Jets struggled to move the ball on offense. However, the Chargers seemed to have everything clicking.
McMinn Central scored four times in the first half and was able to take a 27-0 advantage into the halftime.
“We had traditionally finished well,” Repasky said. “We are hoping to keep improving. And, we’re hoping to get more young guys on the field as we finish up the season.”
McMinn Central scored two more times in the second half to post the final 40-0 margin.
The Jets will now finish the year with four home games. CCHS will battle East Ridge Oct. 2 before hosting Rockwood Oct. 10. After a bye week, the Jets will take on Jackson County Oct. 24 before closing out the season Oct. 31 with Whites Creek.
“We just need to believe we can compete. Most of our problems stem from weak mindset mentality,” said Repasky. “Kids have been up and down this year. Our mindset and mentality has been weak. We have to focus and play excited and disciplined to finish well.”