There wasn’t much doubt who visiting Donelson Christian Academy needed to slow down on Friday, but like nearly every Friendship Christian opponent this season, they were unable to do so.
It was a fairly normal night for Tyson Wolcott by the Commanders’ standards this season, rushing for 210 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries as the defending Division II-Class A champions advanced to the semifinals with a 35-0 victory over DCA at Pirtle Field.
Those four touchdowns, however, move Wolcott into rarefied territory – with 46 rushing touchdowns this season, he’s tied for second all-time for the most rushing touchdowns in a season in state history. He’s level with Powell’s Dy’Shawn Mobley in 2011 and four away from Alcoa’s Jaron Toney, who had 50 rushing scores in 2009.
Wolcott now sits at 2,574 yards on the season with at least one and potentially two games remaining to add to his total. He could become the seventh player tracked by TSSAA records to rush for 3,000 yards in a season should he get to that mark.
And Wolcott admitted he was aware of the milestone that now seems within reach.
“God is great,” Wolcott said when asked what it would mean if he could break the record. “Nothing is impossible as long as you believe in God.”
Tying or even breaking the mark next week seems doable given he’s averaging nearly four touchdowns per game, and the Commanders (10-2) will face a Nashville Christian unit that has allowed 29 points per game this season.
“It’d be awesome,” senior lineman Aaron Lane said. “He’d go down in history as the best running back in the state.”
Wolcott then tried to cut Lane off mid-sentence to give his linemen praise.
“I’ve got the best line in the state,” Wolcott said. “Hands down.”
But there’s another goal firmly in the Commanders’ sights – a repeat title. Next week’s tilt with the Eagles (6-6) will be a rematch of the 2022 BlueCross Bowl title game that Friendship Christian won 34-27. Friday’s quarterfinal was a rematch of the Aug. 25 meeting with DCA that the Commanders won 35-13.
The Commanders held DCA to 102 total yards and 2-of-10 on third downs.
“Our goal this game was to leave no doubt,” senior lineman Aaron Lane said. “And I think we did that.”
Wolcott also added a 30-yard reception to his offensive output. Dontae Parker had the Commanders’ other touchdown, a 54-yard run in the first quarter.
“Our (offensive line) took care of business, our (defensive line) did what they were supposed to,” Wolcott said. “As long as we do our job, it should be a shutout game.”
All of this comes during a season in which many thought the Commanders would take a step back after losing several key starters from last year’s title winners, including quarterback Garrett Weekly and lineman Devin Lively to graduation, and receiver Brock Montgomery’s transfer to Riverdale.
Friendship Christian’s two losses – to Middle Tennessee Christian School and York Institute – have come by a combined three points.
“We definitely used that as motivation, losing a couple of players, that hurt us,” Wolcott said. “But I’m glad Brock’s having a good season. And we’re doing just fine.”