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Rams, Rebs advance in M.S. playoffs

It wasn’t easy, but each of the North Region’s higher-seeded teams advanced to the semifinals with wins in last week’s opening round of the TMSAA Area II playoffs.

Burchfield and Fairview each recorded 16-pt. wins to advance. In each case, the games were closer than the regular season meetings between the schools.
In Fairview, the Rebels defeated Robbins 16-0 at Clois E. Strunk Memorial Field.

After Robbins was unable to capitalize on a first and goal inside Fairview’s 10-yard-line, Logan Harness reeled off an 82-yard run for an 8-0 Rebel lead near the end of the first quarter.

That was followed just plays later by a 55-yard fumble return for a score, also by Harness, as Fairview built a 16-0 advantage. From that point, the game turned into a defensive quagmire, with neither team unable to score.

Fairview will travel to championship-favored Coalfield tonight (Thursday). The winner will earn a spot in next Saturday’s Area II championship game in Jacksboro.

In West Oneida, meanwhile, Burchfield used three Justin King touchdowns to defeat Jellico, 28-12. The Rams scored first, using two King runs for 55 yards for a 6-0 lead late in the first.

After Jellico quickly tied the game, King scored again to push the lead to 14-6 with three minutes remaining in the first half.

The lead was 28-6 before Jellico scored late in the game.

The Rams will face Huntsville tonight at Jack Diggs Field. The winner will face either Fairview or Coalfield in Jacksboro next Saturday for the Area II Class A championship.

In Class AA, Oneida will host the winner of Tuesday’s first round game at Dr. M.E. Thompson Field tonight.