Week ending Aug. 24

Tyson makes short work of Owls, Hurricanes

Jaquez Tyson leaves a Smith County defender sprawled on the turf en route to an Alcoa touchdown on Thursday. Photo by Jolanda Jansma

Two games in three days is a lot of football.

Rushing for 260 yards and four touchdowns in those two games in three days – in August – was more than enough for us to select Alcoa running back Jaquez Tyson as the inaugural Barley’s/Blount Press Row Player of the Week for the 2014 season.

The Tornadoes opened the season with a 54-13 win over Smith County on Friday at Goddard Field. Tyson ran for 78 yards and a touchdown on five carries in a brief appearance on Goddard Field’s new artificial surface.

Saturday, Alcoa completed its season-opening odyssey with a visit to Morristown East. With a clash with rival Maryville looming on Friday, the Tornadoes needed their starters done for the night as soon as possible. Tyson, an All-State selection last season, ripped the Hurricanes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the opening half.

Alcoa rolled to a 42-14 win.