Sevier County-William Blount

Sevier County holds off William Blount 28-21

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Sevier County traveled to Maryville on Friday night and denied William Blount their second win of the season, while the Smoky Bears picked up much needed momentum heading into a regional game with major playoff implications with a 28-21 win. “Nothing came easy,” Sevier County head coach Todd Loveday said. “Every game has been a four-quarter game and it is good to end the game on offense like we did.” After a scoreless first quarter, William Blount got on the board early in the second when quarterback Matthew Clemmer ran for a 1-yard touchdown, putting …

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 …

Shawn Gary stretches into the end zone for a second quarter touchdown, giving South-Doyle a 14-7 lead. Photo by Brian Hamilton

Anderson County hands Cherokees first loss

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Anderson County came into its matchup with South-Doyle with a record of 1-3 and upset undefeated South-Doyle 31-28. The Cherokees fumbled on a quarterback to running back exchange on the first drive, setting Anderson County up with great field position. However, two plays later, JaMichael Ham intercepted the Mavericks’ Walker Martinez for a pick six and a 7-0 lead with 8:26 left in the first quarter. Martinez would respond on Anderson County’s next possession, as he tossed a long touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 3:11 left in the first quarter. Shawn Gary …

Seymour runs away from Sullivan East 42-7

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – The Eagles looked a bit shaky early on, but began to pull away in the second quarter, en route to a 42-7 win over Sullivan-East. Josh Nevins recorded two pick sixes and the Seymour defense held the Patriots to just 116 yards of total offense. “The defense played fantastic,” Seymour head coach Scott Branton said. “They’re getting more aggressive each week and are playing with more and more confidence.” Seymour took an early 7-0 lead against Sullivan-East, but the Patriots would answer with a third down touchdown pass from Drake Fisher to Hunter Brown, tying …

#2 Maryville takes down #3 Alcoa 30-27 in 93rd Battle of Pistol Creek

BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – It was the 93rd edition of the Battle of Pistol Creek and boy, was it a good one. Maryville jumped out to an early 17-0 lead, but had to hang on late, as Alcoa fought back in the second half, only to fall 30-27. “You’ve got to put yourself in positions like this to learn about your team,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said. “It’s really hard to get our guys up for big game after big game. When you play a team that is good enough to beat you every week and you’re not …