Sevier County boys, girls pick up win over West in season opener

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEVIERVILLE – The Sevier County boys jumped out to an early lead over West on Tuesday night and cruised to a 74-60 win in the season opener. The Smoky Bears got on the board first, but Will Biven nailed a three to put West ahead 3-2. Sevier County missed multiple layups early in the game, but the Rebels were unable to take advantage due to two early charging calls. “It’s one thing to miss (layups), but you’ve got to get fouled,” Sevier County head coach Ken Wright said. “You can’t just be there and shoot three or …

West hangs 76 points on Cocke County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON NEWPORT – Senior night did not quite go as planned for Cocke County on Friday night, as top-ranked West came in and destroyed the Fighting Cocks 76-7. The Rebels amassed 609 yards of total offense, with 490 of those yards coming on the ground. West averaged 19 yards per play. The rout began on West’s first play from scrimmage, as Brayden Latham sliced the Fighting Cock defense for an 89-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead just under two minutes into the game. The Rebels took a 14-0 lead when quarterback Carson Jessie found Jaqurius Wrenn for …

Heritage remains winless after 56-6 loss to West

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Heritage faced a tough task on Friday night, as Knox West came to town. The Mountaineers faced the task of getting their first win of the season against a team that could very well still be undefeated, and a team who was chomping at the bit to get back on the field after a heartbreaking Thursday Night Rivals loss to Alcoa in double-overtime. The result was not in favor of Heritage, however, as the Rebels came in and handed the Mountaineers a 56-6 loss. “Teams like West have enough skill players to make you really …

Alcoa-West

Alcoa defeats Class 5A West in double overtime

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Alcoa was coming off a narrow 30-27 loss to Class 6A #2 Maryville when the Tornadoes took their talents to Knoxville on Friday night to face the Class 5A #1 West Rebels and it was a classic. Alcoa was able to penetrate deep into West territory three times in the first half, but the West defense turned the Tornadoes away on fourth down all three times with Alcoa coming up empty in the red zone. The Tornadoes would finally break through with three seconds left before halftime on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Caden Buckles …

Sevier County falls to undefeated West 20-19

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Sevier County traveled to West to face the Class 4A top-ranked Rebels on Friday night and fell in heartbreaking fashion 20-19. “I wouldn’t trade for any other team,” Sevier County head coach Todd Loveday said after the loss. “They keep practicing hard and playing hard. We don’t worry about who we’re playing.” The Smoky Bears took an early 7-0 lead when Garrett Hawkins ran for a 4-yard touchdown in the first quarter. A West fumble was recovered by Sevier’s Stephen Cain, giving the Smoky Bears good field position again. Sevier County capitalized on the turnover …