Page Crushes the Commandos, 34-3

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It didn't take long for the home Patriots to flex their muscles in this game as they scored early and kept their foot on the peddle throughout the night in their commanding win over Hendersonville. It was an impressive performance from the Pats that did what they wanted to on offense and shut down the Commandos run game on defense. </h2>     - One of the better programs in the greater Mid-Tennessee area kept their winning ways going on Friday night as Page (3-0) completely controlled Hendersonville in their 34-3 win over the Commandos to move to 3-0 on the young season. Just about anything the Patriots wanted to do in the game on both sides of the ball worked. They owned the line of scrimmage, they out athleted the Commandos and received strong play from their top players.    The Patriots got the ball to start the game and they did exactly what they needed. Page moved the ball methodically down field while eating up clock then put their first score on the board with a beautiful fade ball pass from [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Cameron' last='Kruse'] to [player_tooltip player_id='2153600' first='Ryder' last='Casillas']. It was an impressive first drive by the Patriots and it wouldn't be their last of the night.    After taking an early punch from Page, the Commandos slowed the game down with their triple option offense that ate up a lot of clock. They didn't score on their first drive but the Commandos flipped the field to put Page deep into their own territory. Hendersonville was able to stop Page and force them to punt, which was an early win but could the Commandos score and keep up.    On their next offensive drive, Hendersonville would string together multiple positive plays, led by running back [player_tooltip player_id='1960150' first='Tate' last='Rumney'] to get into scoring position but settled for only a field goal. Even though it was only three points, Hendersonville did a good job of leaning on their run game to bleed the clock and moving the game along while getting on the scoreboard.    Little did we know at the time, that would be the only time Hendersonville would score the rest of the night as the Patriots defense, led by stud defenders [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'], [player_tooltip player_id='2206375' first='Connor' last='Sullivan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2088523' first='Liam' last='Perry'] would shut down just about anything the Commandos wanted to do. The Patriots immediately answered the Hendersonville score by going on another successful drive that saw Kruse throw another fade ball near the end zone where junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2141270' first='Dylan' last='Streeter'] hauled in the pass. It was a beautiful throw and catch from Kruse to Streeter that put Page ahead, 13-3.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/Photo-Sep-01-2026-10-42-16-AM-crop-1319x866-1788273912.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2366766" style="width:328px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page LB [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'] during a game. Photo by @mw_shots28 on Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   That would be the score going into the break and even though Page was in full control, the Commandos were still right there with hope remaining. That hope would be smashed to pieces immediately as Hendersonville took the ball to start the 2nd period and was shut down in three plays. Page took the ball back and pushed the ball down field quickly to extend their lead to 20-3 after a short yard touchdown run by Kruse, which was his third of the night.    Holding a 17 point lead, it honestly felt bigger by watching this game because Hendersonville looked outmatched in every facet. The Commandos tried their best to run the ball and shorten up the game but they couldn't against a stout Patriots defensive front seven. They also couldn't generate any explosive plays or quick scoring drives to remain close. After stalling on yet another drive, Hendersonville punted it back to Page and the Patriots would score yet again after a 15 plus yard run by Joe Guerra.   That score by Guerra pretty much sealed the deal for the home team as Hendersonville had not shown anything on the offensive side of the ball to warrant a comeback. We didn't have a running clock at this point but holding a 27-3 lead going into the 4th quarter, the winner was pretty much set in stone but the Patriots would produce yet another impressive offensive play before heading home.    Page was basically trying to run the clock out but found their way near mid-field with the need to throw it. Well the staff called a simple slant pass where Kruse delivered it with zip to Streeter and the junior wideout broke a tackle then ran past Hendersonville defenders all the way into the end zone. It was an impressive run after the catch by Streeter, who had two scores on the night along with 100 plus yards receiving.    All it took was two minutes of game play left for the final horn to go off as Page defeated the Commandos by 31 points to move to 3-0 on the season with a big road game next week upcoming against Brentwood. It was a clean, commanding, efficient performance by the Patriots where they controlled the line of scrimmage and saw their stars shine. Hendersonville (1-2), who return home next week against Rossview, put forth a solid effort but simply got overmatched by a better team that has their eyes on repeating as 5A state champs.    - - - - -    Player of the Game    Commanding the offense was something this future Kansas St. quarterback did flawlessly on Friday night as Kruse never missed a beat in his team's 31 point win over Hendersonville. The Patriots signal caller was efficient and productive in this contest where he produced four touchdowns on the night with three of them through the air and one on the ground. Kruse played like a seasoned vet in this game, providing a calm presence behind center while making the right calls and reads from start to finish. Tonight was one of the best performances I've seen from Kruse and one that will help boost his ranking in our Fall update.     Three Stars …..   ‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] - Page   - Even though Otey didn't produce a score on the night, he was still very important in the team's offensive success. On multiple occasions, this junior running back generated big runs that ate up a big chunk of yards while putting his team into scoring position. I also saw enough in Otey to say he is one of the best running back prospects from our junior class that has gotten bigger, stronger, faster and quicker while enhancing his footwork. The Pats ball carrier also displayed excellent vision, being able to elude initial tacklers for most of the night.    ‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2141270' first='Dylan' last='Streeter'] - Page   - If it wasn't for Kruse, this junior receiver would have been our player of the game. Streeter was impressive in this game where he showed big time, next level abilities out wide where he produced two touchdowns on the night. Besides his two scores, the Pats pass catcher hauled in several other passes where he used his ball skills and size to his advantage. He then showed off his improved speed in the 4th quarter that to me boosted his stock in a major way. I think Streeter is quickly turning himself into a “Power Four” level prospect that should only keep getting better and better.    (LB) Cal Wiebush - Page   - The Patriots had several defenders that made plays close to the line of scrimmage in this game but Wiebush stood out to me as one of their top performers. This senior linebacker delivered multiple violent hits on the night, playing a key role on the edge, snuffing out off tackle runs by the Commandos. Wiebush played a physical brand of football that showed me potential as a versatile linebacker that could have a role one day on the college level with continued development with both his game and his body.    - - - - -    Game Notes ……   - Coming off a 5A title run last year while losing several key players off that team, I was interested to see how Page looks for the current 2026 campaign and they look like a well oiled machine that could definitely make it back to Chattanooga this Winter. Having Kruse behind center is big time for the Patriots but his offensive line was relatively new going into the year but they looked strong in this game, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1570544' first='Preston' last='Ashmore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='905242' first='Caleb' last='Coffman']. The Pats have a strong core of playmakers as well with Otey, Streeter, [player_tooltip player_id='2153600' first='Ryder' last='Casillas'] and others. The offense didn't miss a beat in this win. I don't even know if the offense had any penalties on the night either.    The defense looks good as well. They have an outstanding defensive front seven that still has some youth to them, which speaks towards a high ceiling. The one area I'm still not sure about is their secondary. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2160506' first='Colin' last='Mulick'] is a solid piece at safety but I'm not about the other pieces around him right now. I do see a very strong defensive unit for Page to go along with their offense to be considered at the top to win the 5A state championship this year as long as the key players stay healthy.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/pashmore.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2141740" style="width:248px;height:auto" /></figure>   - I think Hendersonville has work to do in the development department as they did nothing on Friday night that popped off the page to me. They had a few solid offensive drives on the night but only scored three points while posing no threat in the passing game. Yes I know the Commandos have a triple option offense but if you're not able to have success running the ball then you get behind, you have to throw the ball and Hendersonville didn't have the ability to do that. Their offensive line did ok but they struggled with driving the Patriots front four down field and opening holes for their backs.    I also think the Commandos defense needs work as they allowed chunk plays throughout the night, both  through the air and on the ground. The Commandos D-line hardly got any pressure on Kruse while I saw several tacklers get run over by Otey. I know this loss was against a high caliber team like Page but there are things that happened tonight that are not acceptable to compete for titles. Hendersonville still has a shot at taking their region but they must get to work this coming week and begin to play with more passion.    - From a scouting point of view, I was really impressed with both Otey and Streeter. I see definite improvement with both players that now tell me they could eventually become official “Power Four” level prospects. Otey is a big dude with the ball in his hands that runs hard and fast. He showed outstanding contact balance, bouncing off several Hendersonville tacklers while displaying increased burst and speed into the open field. His vision is excellent as well. There is a lot to like about Otey and what kind of running back he could be on the next level.    Streeter is a tall, strong handed wide out that definitely looks faster, which was one trait I wanted to see enhanced going into the season. This 6 '3 junior has all the physical tools you want in an outside the hashes receiver that still has levels to go with his game. Streeter has gotten bigger and stronger but could still add a few more pounds to his frame. Even though I love his footwork before and after the route, I could also see him speeding up his feet as well. I was probably more impressed with Streeter coming out of this game than anybody else because I know how hard it is to find a true outside pass catcher that presents a lot of upside and this guy certainly showed that on Friday night.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/dstreeter-e1788588598284.jpg?w=159" alt="" class="wp-image-2374880" style="width:176px;height:auto" /></figure>