thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

Chase James knew exactly what was going to happen as he jogged to the huddle Friday night for his first play as Alcoa's starting quarterback.

Jaron Toney had just returned the opening kickoff 62 yards, and the Tornadoes were prepared to give sophomore fullback Taharin Tyson his first carry of the season.

"I knew he was going to score," James said. "I just had a gut feeling."

The four-time defending Class 2A state champions made their season opener look that easy.

Tyson and James each had four touchdowns, including Tyson's 30-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, and Alcoa extended its winning streak to 14 games by dominating from start to finish in a 63-3 victory over Class 3A Spring Hill at Goddard Field.

The Tornadoes (1-0) wasted no time disposing of the Raiders (0-1) for the second consecutive year, piling up four touchdowns in the first 10 minutes and stretching their lead to 49-3 by halftime.

If nothing else, it was a perfectly executed dress rehearsal for next week's showdown with archrival Maryville at Shields Stadium.

"We came out extra focused," said James, who completed 7 of 9 passes for 181 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. "We'd been practicing all week, but we haven't been practicing for Spring Hill. We've been practicing for Maryville. That's the main thing that we've been focused on.

"I don't know how long it's been since we beat them, and that's mainly what we're trying to get done this year. It was hard not to overlook this game."

Tyson finished with a game-high 102 yards on only seven carries, including 61 on his first two touches. He also added touchdown receptions of 13 yards from James and 14 yards from backup Logan Sharp.

"He's in better shape than he's ever been, and he's showing some quickness," Alcoa coach Gary Rankin said of Tyson. "He's a good football player to be a sophomore."

Toney, a junior tailback, rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on four attempts. Sophomore Darrell Warren ran seven times for 40 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown after Alcoa removed its starters at the end of the third quarter.

Senior receiver Sam Thompson caught three passes for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and tight end Tyler Robinson hauled in a 12-yard score in the first quarter.

The Tornadoes racked up 426 yards of total offense to Spring Hill's 128.

James and Sharp each had an interception on defense for Alcoa, which held the Raiders to only a 42-yard field goal by senior Tim Saye just before halftime.

"The biggest thing we try to emphasize is running to the ball," Alcoa defensive coordinator Brian Nix said. "That's how you can build great defenses, and I thought we did that tonight. There's still things we've got to do better."

First-year Spring Hill coach Jason Scharsch, who was on Rankin's staff at Riverdale High in Murfreesboro from 1997 to 2001, wasn't quite as encouraged.

"We were awful big-eyed," Scharsch said. "Our kids, they were in a little bit of shock after warmups. That's a classic Gary Rankin team. They come out ready to play. They're whooping and hollering. They clap a nice beat, and our kids aren't used to that. ...

"I don't really think they understood how good this team was."