After 4 Weeks Two Unbeatens Remain in Top 10

BY DANIEL SPARKMAN After a week of showcasing a number of teams in our area playing one another, we are left with just two teams remaining undefeated. The big game of the week was Alcoa versus Maryville. Alcoa did what they hadn’t since 2018 and that is beat Maryville. Our lone other unbeaten is Sevier County who saw a 19-0 victory at Pigeon Forge on Friday night. Dropping from the Top 10 this week was South-Doyle, Seymour and Grainger. Carter joins the Top 10 again at #10 along with two newcomers Northview Academy and Heritage. In their 7th season on …

Hammonds

Gatlinburg-Pittman trounces Northview Academy 48-6 behind 5 Hammonds TDs

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Gatlinburg-Pittman started fast on Thursday night and took a 41-0 halftime lead, en route to a 48-6 win, keeping the Highlanders in position to finish second in Region 2. Gatlinburg-Pittman hadn’t played in three weeks, due to a bye week followed by a COVID forfeit by Hampton last week. “It helped that we got out to a big lead, but we haven’t played recently, so we’ve got to play,” Gatlinburg-Pittman head coach Brad Waggoner said. “We’ve just got to keep getting better. I was really pleased with the way we came out, but we gave …

Northview-Grainger

Grainger spoils Northview Academy homecoming with 26-14 win

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Northview began its homecoming game against Grainger playing well and even got on the board first. Things started to go awry for the Cougars in the second quarter, however, as the Grizzlies took a 14-6 lead as the first half expired and came away with a hard fought 26-14 win. Quarterback Alex Cruz-Mendoza went into the end zone on a 7-yard run to put Northview Academy ahead 6-0 after the two-point conversion failed. Grainger would go on a methodical 14-play drive, resulting in a 1-yard touchdown by Blake Morse. The Cougars blocked the extra-point attempt, …

Oneida holds Northview Academy to 13 total yards in 19-0 shutout

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Oneida came to the Smoky Mountains and shut out Northview Academy 19-0 on Friday night, holding the Cougars to only 13 yards of total offense, including -9 yards rushing, while the Indians managed 258 total yards. Freshman quarterback D.J. Thompson got his first start, replacing injured Alex Cruz-Mendoza and it was tough sledding throughout the night without the senior signal-caller. Northview Academy only crossed the 50-yard line into Indians’ territory during the game. Elijah Phillips scored on a 1-yard run in the first half to put Oneida on the board. The Cougars’ defense held the …

Austin-East snaps 15-game losing streak with win over Northview

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Northview Academy was coming off their first on-field win of the season — a 35-0 shutout of Claiborne — but laid an egg on Friday night, allowing Austin-East to pick up their first win in 15 games, on homecoming, with a 42-8 romp over the Cougars. The Roadrunners got on the board first with a 1-yard touchdown run by Markeyis Billingsley for a 7-0 lead. Austin-East was leading 21-0 when Alex Cruz-Mendoza dodged several Roadrunners and scooted 86 yards for the score. Cruz-Mendoza connected with William Kirby on the two-point conversion attempt, cutting the lead …

Northview Academy shuts down Claiborne 35-0

BY BRIAN HAMILTON NEW TAZEWELL – Northview Academy traveled to New Tazewell on Friday night to take on Claiborne in a non-region contest. After getting blown out by Alcoa last week, the Cougars responded with a dominant 35-0 win over the Bulldogs. “Cruz-Mendoza had some good runs and we moved the ball around — it wasn’t just one guy,” Northview Academy head coach Heath Woods said. “We are looking forward to building off this.” Northview jumped out to a 22-0 halftime lead, en route to a 35-0 win. Cougars quarterback Alex Cruz-Mendoza ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns on …

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 …

Northview comes up short against Unicoi County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Northview Academy ran out of time against Unicoi County Friday night, as the Cougars fell 22-15. “They all played hard and I’m very pleased with them,” Northview head coach Heath Woods said. “We made mistakes and when you make mistakes you lose ballgames.” Quarterback Alex Cruz-Mendoza, a converted running back, put Northview on the board first with an 8-yard touchdown run, giving the Cougars an 8-0 lead. Unicoi then scored 22 unanswered points, taking a 15-8 halftime lead and later a 22-8 lead, as Nehemiah Edwards scored from two yards out midway through the third …