Roane County head coach Paul Burdette calls a timeout during last week’s Class AA state semifinal game against Independence. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

SPENCER — What began as a shopping trip for the women in their group turned into a bonus trip for members of the Roane County football coaching staff as well.

The No. 2 Roane County Raiders (13-0) meet the No. 1 Frankfort Falcons (13-0) for the Class AA state football championship Friday at Laidley Field in Charleston. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

While Frankfort returns to the title game for the first time in 10 years, this is a first-time experience as Roane County High School. Before consolidation in 1993, Spencer won a state championship in 1991.

“After we consolidated, we struggled for so many years. Finally about 2004, 2005 coach Tom Hartman started getting things turned around. In the early 2000s to 2010 we were in the playoffs, but weren’t able to compete. We finally got a playoff win in my first year as head coach in 2011,” Roane coach Paul Burdette said.

“In 2021, that team re-established our base and we have been building ever since. This group has played together for so long and been successful all the way through. We knew we had a shot this year.”

On a Saturday as the regular season was coming to a close, coach Burdette, his brother-in-law Rick Cottrell and members of their family did some shopping. That same day, Frankfort defeated Williamstown 27-7.

“Some of us went to the game and when we left I told Rick, who is also my assistant coach – I said what this state needs is a wing-T championship,” Burdette said. “I said it that day and here we are. (Frankfort coach) Kevin Whiteman and I have formed a relationship over the last year and we spoke last Friday. We were both excited for the opportunity.”

During last Friday’s semifinal round, both teams took care of business with relative ease – both games working under a running clock as Roane County defeated Independence 42-7, while Frankfort built a 42-0 lead against Williamstown before securing a 49-7 victory.

“Frankfort and us are a lot alike,” Burdette said. “They don’t throw the ball a lot. We don’t like to throw the ball a lot.”

Against Independence, other than on a two-point conversion, the Raiders did not attempt a pass. Their play-calling consisted of 56 run plays for 426 yards and set a school record for most rushing yards in a single season. Lane Watson is responsible for a majority of their 4,000-plus yards. The senior has rushed for 2,062 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Watson, who finished with 233 yards and four TDs against Independence, was the team’s starting tight end when the team broke camp last season.

“Lane is a pretty special football player,” Burdette said. “He didn’t play running back for us until last year. Shay Harper hurt his ankle the first game of the year, so we moved some things around. Nothing positive came out of Shay Harper getting hurt other than the fact we had another running back as well.”

During last Friday’s win at County Stadium in Spencer, Clay Walker rushed for 68 yards and Harper tacked on anther 61 yards.

“When you take Shay and Lane and Clay, and put them all together it’s hard to handle,” Burdette said. “You have to figure out where the ball is going.”

The success of the three senior running backs starts with junior quarterback Jacob Greathouse.

“We don’t throw the ball much, he knew that coming in as a freshman,” Burdette said. “But he has been with this offense for three years and ran it pretty perfect to be honest. He calls a lot of plays at the line depending on the play-call.

“He is a very skilled player and can throw the ball. But when your ground game is working in a game like it did (against Independence), it was all about owning the clock and moving the ball.”

Frankfort’s offense is a mirror image of Roane County. Their featured backs include Uriah Cutter, Carder Shanholtz and Julian Pattison. All three have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.

“When I took over in 2011, I was the only applicant for the job – written inside my pamphlet I submitted to the board I said we will bring a state title and state appearance to Roane County High School,” Burdette said. “It took 14 years to get here. It’s extremely special I get to share this with all my family. They know the time and effort and all the sacrifices that is put into it.

“This week, the guys are being treated like kings. The state championship experience is something they have not seen before. I want them to take it all in. I asked them in the huddle last Friday if they were satisfied, and they said no. That’s what I wanted to hear.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com