Polk County ended the first half of its season in style Friday night. Using complete first half dominance, the Wildcats built a 29-0 lead and cruised to a 36-14 win over visiting Sweetwater.

At 5’6” and 145lbs, sophomore Tyler Lee does not inspire fear in opposing defenses. Yet, Friday night he scored four touchdowns, two rushing, one on a screen pass and one on a punt return to lead Polk’s attack. He also passed to Marcus Taylor for a 2-pooint conversion. Junior Luke Phillips added a touchdown and rushed for more than 80 yards.

The defense allowed just 25 net yards and one first down in the opening half and ran its scoreless quarter streak to 15. The first six Sweetwater possessions netted only five yards. Michael Hargrove and Zack Akins seemed to be everywhere, and Hargrove was in on four quarterback sacks. Sweetwater’s two second half scores came off busted plays and some excellent athletic moves. Game totals showed the Wildcat defense recording seven tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks.

Through its first five games Polk has outscored its opponents 178-22.

Polk takes its 5-0 record into the tougher half of its schedule starting with unbeaten Howard Friday night. Game time is 7:30 p.m. After a trip to Meigs on Oct. 10, the Wildcats will return home to face a much-improved Sequoyah team Oct. 17 and then travel to undefeated McMinn Central Oct. 24. They finish the regular season with a home game against Notre Dame Oct. 31.

THE GAME

First Quarter

Hunter Longley boomed the opening kick off into the end zone giving Sweetwater possession at its 20. On third and nine, Chase Christian recovered a fumble at the Sweetwater 19. Lee swept right on the first Polk offensive play for a touchdown. The holder for the extra point kick executed a perfect fake flipping the ball to Lee who passed to a wide open Taylor for the conversion. A holding penalty stopped any Sweetwater momentum and forced a punt. Phillips picked up 14 yards on a trap play, but the drive died on downs at the Sweetwater 21. Hargrove was in on three straight tackles for losses forcing another punt. Polk got a first down but an interception stopped the drive. The defense held again and Polk took over on its 28. A holding penalty pushed them back to the 20 as the quarter ended. SWEETWATER O POLK 8

Second Quarter

On second and 15, Jared Allen completed a pass to lee for 22 yards and a first down. He then completed a six-yard pass to Phillips. On second and four Phillips came around the left end, broke tackles and ran 49 yards for a score. Longley kicked the extra point. Sweetwater gained five yards in three plays and punted with Lee picking up 15 yards on the return. Allen passed to Lee to get a first down and Phillips ground out 11 yards for another first down. On second and ten from the 23, Lee swept right end for his second touchdown. Longley kicked the extra point. Akins dumped the quarterback for a three yard loss, James Bussey broke up a pass attempt and an offensive pass interference penalty pushed Sweetwater back to its own 12. On the ensuing punt, Lee came around to the left side, got behind a well set up blocking wall and cruised 55 yards for his third touchdown. Longley kicked the extra point. Sweetwater finally got a first down and crossed midfield reaching the Polk 47. However, on fourth and six, Hargrove dumped quarterback Tyler Richesin for a 7-yard loss. SWEETWATER 0 POLLK 29

Third Quarter

Jackson ran the second half kick off 55 yards to the Sweetwater 33. An Allen to Phillips pass reached the 14 before Allen was sacked for a big loss. On fourth and 17 from the 21, Allen dropped back and flipped a screen pass to Lee who squirted all the way to the end zone. Longley kicked the extra point. The visiting Wildcats finally got a drive going marching 63 yards in 12 plays. On fourth and goal from the five, Sammy Blomstrom scrambled around in the backfield and found an open Adam Worley for the score. Ross Houston kicked the extra point. SWEETWATER 7 POLK 36

Fourth Quarter

Polk was unable to get a first down and punted. Sweetwater turned it over on a fumble with Allen recovering, but Polk returned the fumble favor at the Sweetwater 25. The visiting Wildcats took 13 plays to drive 90 yards for a second touchdown. Again, it came via the pass with Richesin hitting Worley from 24 yards out. Houston added the extra point. The second Polk offense ran out the clock. SWEETWATER 14 POLK 36