KNOXVILLE — A season full of heartache was filled with triumph Friday night.
Siegel upset Bearden 34-17 to advance to the second round of the TSSAA’s Class 6A playoffs on the 17th birthday of teammate Baylor Bramble, who remains in critical condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a head trauma sustained two weeks ago during the Stars’ first win of the season.
Siegel’s football team sang “Happy Birthday” to Bramble, sending a video of it from the field to his family.
“It was a pretty emotional win,” Siegel coach Greg Wyant said. “That was probably one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever been a part of.
“We video us singing and sent it to them. That was big for our kids to be able to do that.”
Siegel (3-8) plays at fifth-ranked Blackman (9-2) next Friday. Blackman defeated Siegel 55-30 three weeks ago. Bearden (6-5) was the third seed from Region 2-6A.
In early September, Siegel’s Mason Loupe died of a gunshot wound to the head. A month later, Bramble’s head trauma occurred during a rout over Warren County.
“All the communities we’ve been in have accepted us and have been so heartwarming for our guys,” Wyant said. “Our kids have been resilient in being able to prepare despite the emotions they have gone through.”
In the first quarter, Bearden moved the ball well and scored on its first possession with a 27-yard pass from senior quarterback Cameron Jones to senior Ty Chandler.
Siegel running back Greedy Howse began his brilliant performance in the second quarter and scored from 30-yards out and 50-yards out to put the Stars up 14-7. Howse finished with 27 carries for 274 yards.
After a Bearden field goal and a 14-yard touchdown pass from Siegel senior quarterback Jordan Middleton to sophomore Michael Scruggs, the Stars led at halftime 21-10.
Bearden brought the game to within four points after opening the second half with a drive that included a 47-yard pass from Jones to junior Jaquez Dove and a two-yard touchdown run from Jones.
Later in the third, Siegel extended their lead with a 22-yard touchdown throw from Middleton to senior Ricco Gregory, to give the Stars a 28-17 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the only scoring was two field goals from Jacob Smith.
For the Bulldogs, their season is over after a five-win turnaround.
“All of our seniors filled their roles to the best of their ability, it was a tremendous year for us, and we will miss our seniors,” said Bearden head coach Morgan Shinlever, “It was a good season for us and they earned everything they got.”