Science Hill dominates Bearden to move to 4-0

JOHNSON CITY — After some fits and starts in the first three games, Science Hill's football team put it all together against Bearden on Friday night inside Kermit Tipton Stadium. The Hilltoppers, now 4-0, scored on their first four drives, held Bearden (0-4) without a first down until the final minute of the third quarter, and cruised to 35-0 non-conference victory. "I thought our defense has got better each week, and I really believe we made big strides this week from two weeks ago," said Science Hill coach Stacy Carter. "Offensively it was smoother, but we've still got some things to work out." While the defense held Bearden to just 10 yards of offense in the first half without giving up a first down, the offense got to work building a lead. Science Hill went 62 yards on 10 plays on its first drive, which was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Kiantai Harris.The Hilltoppers followed that up with scoring drives of 73 yards and 63 yards, both ending in touchdown runs by Harris, who finished the first half with 125 yards on 14 carries with three TDs before taking a well-deserved rest in the second half. Sophomore running back Sage Milhorn powered the 'Toppers down the field on their fourth drive, finding pay dirt from a yard out to push Science Hill's lead to 28-0 with 2:59 remaining in the first half. Milhorn, a sophomore who played for Hampton last season, unofficially finished with 93 yards on 10 carries and a TD with much of that yardage coming after contact. "My teammates are amazing and they block for me," Milhorn said, adding that his physical running style "comes from being able to drive my feet and the weight room. I came from Hampton, so I love contact." Defensively, lineman Shamonte Mims picked up where he left off last week and disrupted several Bearden plays. "The coaches said they were big, they get off the ball really fast, and they're physical," Mims said. "And we came out there and played physical." Science Hill won the battle up front all night, even after emptying the bench in the second half. The only first down the Bulldogs got all game came on a personal foul penalty after Science Hill made a tackle for loss in the final minute of the third quarter. As the game wore on, Carter and his staff were able to see a lot of promising young players under the Friday night lights, including Knox Necessary, who ran for 36 yards as a running back and also got some time at linebacker and safety. All three of Science Hill's quarterbacks got an extended look on Friday night with sophomores Eli Lopez and Mac Gillert getting a chance to take command of the offense after starter Pearson Harrison checked out. "I thought we had some freshmen that came in and did good stuff for us," Carter said. "All in all, it was a good game." Next Up: Science Hill will travel to face Cocke County next Friday while Bearden will play Hardin Valley Academy at home next Thursday. Science Hill 35, Bearden 0 Bearden 0 0 0 0 - 0 Science Hill 14 14 7 0 - 35 First Quarter SH - Kiantai Harris 2 run (Bryson Phillips kick) SH - Harris 4 run (Phillips kick) Second Quarter SH - Harris 15 run (Phillips kick) SH - Sage Millhorn 1 run (Phillips kick) Third Quarter SH - Knox Necessary 3 run (Phillips kick)