BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Oakland was able to hold off Maryville 24-14 to advance to its second consecutive state championship next Saturday. The Patriots used its vaunted running game to move the chains and chew up clock, handing Maryville its first home playoff loss since 1999, when the Rebels fell to Knox Central. The two teams met for the eighth straight time in the Class 6A semifinals, and it was only the first time since 2014 that the road team won in the series. Both teams came into this matchup undefeated in 2020 and Oakland walked away with a …
Maryville routes winless Hardin Valley 61-3
BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Maryville jumped out on Hardin Valley early, taking a 28-3 lead in the first quarter and a 45-3 lead at halftime. The Rebels would win the game by a score of 61-3, despite a running clock in the second half. Maryville amassed 398 total yards on 50 plays, while holding Hardin Valley to just 76. “Our goal was to play fast and play with purpose and I thought we did that early on,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said. “Obviously, Hardin Valley isn’t having the kind of year they’d like to have, but doesn’t need …
Maryville makes quick work of Cleveland 42-7
BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Maryville defeated Region 2 foe Cleveland 42-7, as the Rebels executed well in all three phases of the game — offense, defense, and special teams. Maryville enters its bye week on a high-note and look to continue that heading into the Class 6A playoffs. “I think Cleveland is a good football team, but we just executed well,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said. “In the first half, we just had our way. Defensively, we were really strong and had a lot of guys making plays. It didn’t take the Rebels long to get on the …
Maryville remains unbeaten with 41-17 win over Science Hill
BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Science Hill made the trek from Johnson City and went home with a 41-17 defeat, as Maryville improved its record to 6-0, as the lone unbeaten team in Smoky Mountain Sports’ coverage area. “They have definitely improved each week and that’s the most impressive thing,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said of the Rebels’ performance. D.J Burks put Maryville on the board first with a 1-yard plunge, giving the Rebels a 6-0 lead with 6:08 left in the first quarter, as Corbin Price’s extra-point attempt was blocked. Noah Vaughn would run for an 11-yard score …
Maryville cruises past Bearden behind Jones’ 4 touchdown passes
BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Maryville quarterback Carson Jones put on a first-half clinic at Bearden Friday night, as the senior threw for four touchdowns — all before halftime — while amassing 150 yards on 15-of-18 passing. “I think Carson Jones played about as good a game as I’ve ever seen him play,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said. “That’s as well as we’ve executed in a long time.” Jones threw his first touchdown of the night to D.J. Burks for 10 yards, putting the Rebels in front 7-0 with 7:38 left in the first quarter. The senior then found …