MT. JULIET -- Halfback Caleb Hopkins scored five touchdowns and the Mt. Juliet offense rolled up 485 yards in offense as the Golden Bears thumped Independence 52-22 Friday in the first round of the TSSAA Class 6A playoffs. Mt. Juliet improved to 10-1 with the victory and moves on to a second round game Nov. 9 at top-seeded Dickson County -- a 42-14 winner over McGavock.

Coach Roger Perry's team led 24-0 with 5:21 left in the second quarter on Hopkins' third TD of the night, a 16-yard sprint around left end.

"It was our power sweep," Perry said, "(Contrez) McCathern fills for the guard who pulls to lead the play. we worked it hard this week and it was there all night."

All told, Hopkins ran just 13 times, but piled up 188 yards. Eleven Mt. Juliet backs carried the ball as Perry emptied his bench late in the third quarter.

Soph QB Nolan Chowbay completed half of his eight pass attempts for 74 yards, including a 37-yard TD strike to Jalen Graham with 5:10 to go in the third.

The Mt. Juliet secondary intercepted three Independence passes, two by corner Chase Mang and one by safety Kyle Grace.

Independence running back Jalen Wade ran nine times for 101 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown run late in the game against the Mt. Juliet reserves.

The Eagles finished 6-5 overall having lost three in a row to close out the season.