Alcoa tops Maryville 27-14 for first win in rivalry since 2018

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Brian Nix became the first Alcoa head coach to win the Battle of Pistol Creek in his first try since Scott Meadows did it in 2000, as the Tornadoes went into Maryville and came away with a 27-14 win Friday night. The Rebels had an opportunity to win the game late, but Jordan Harris came away with an interception return for a touchdown, as Maryville was driving deep into Alcoa territory. “I’m so proud, once again just with their character,” Nix said after the game. “They’re just good kids. I was telling somebody the other …

Alcoa State Champs

Two-A-Days: Alcoa sets sights on 8-peat with Nix at helm

BY BRIAN HAMILTON Alcoa completed its seventh consecutive Class 3A championship run last December, defeating East Nashville 45-14. The Tornadoes now hold the longest streak of TSSAA championships in the common era. Believe it or not, however, Alcoa is only halfway to breaking the nation record of consecutive state titles, as St. Louis from Hawaii won 14 straight from 1986 through 1999. South Dakota’s Sioux Falls Washington has also been credited with 14 straight from 1951 through 1964, but during that day and age, many of those titles were viewed as mythical. Regardless, Alcoa seemingly has a stranglehold on Class …

Alcoa shuts out Class 6A Cookeville 38-0

BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – The Class 3A Tornadoes shut out Class 6A Cookeville 38-0 on Friday to improve their record to 6-1 on the season behind a strong night from quarterback Caden Buckles and a stout defense. Alcoa had to resort to Buckles’ arm for most of the night, as the Cavalier defense held the Tornadoes to just 64 yards on 15 carries. “We certainly didn’t have our way with them up front,” Alcoa head coach Gary Rankin said. “We ran the ball better in the second half, but they were pretty tough up there.” Itty Salter ran for …

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 …

#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 …

Northview

Alcoa continues dominance with 63-8 win over Northview Academy

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Alcoa did what it has done each week during the 2021 season on Thursday night, which is jump out to a fast start and play reserves during the second half. The Tornadoes jumped out to a 49-0 halftime lead and came away with a 63-8 Class 3A Region 2 win over Northview Academy. “We were focused and we had them out-matched, but we never quit,” Alcoa head coach Gary Rankin said. “Our coaches get us prepared for the game better than anybody.” Alcoa has won its last 35 area matchups by at least 21 points …

Alcoa routes Gatlinburg-Pittman 56-7

BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – Gatlinburg-Pittman traveled to Alcoa Friday night to face a dominant Tornadoes team. The Highlanders were missing five starters in the game and the Tornadoes jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, using a 28-0 first quarter lead to defeat Gatlinburg-Pittman 56-7. The win improved Alcoa’s all-time series record against the Highlanders to 14-0. It only took the Tornadoes one play to take the lead, as Jordan Harris broke free for a 56-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Just 15 seconds into the game, the Alcoa student section had already started …

Alcoa flexes offensive muscle with 41-13 win over Rhea County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – Alcoa returns Class 3A championship MVP quarterback Caden Buckles, who spearheaded a 41-point outburst in the first half, as the Tornadoes went on to a 41-13 win. Alcoa scored on five of its first six drives before calling off the dogs in the second half. “Forty points is never expected in the first half, but we just dominated,” Buckles said after the game. “That’s probably one of the best halves of football I’ve seen in a long time.” The six-time defending state champions got on the scoreboard quick, as running back Jordan Harris returned the …