Gatlinburg-Pittman picks up first win of season at Austin-East

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Gatlinburg-Pittman traveled to Knoxville Friday night and came away with a resounding 44-27 win over Austin-East after tough losses to Seymour and Alcoa to start the season. “I am proud of these kids,” Gatlinburg-Pittman head coach Brad Waggoner said. “They have kept battling. It is hard when you lose an overtime game and a game last week that wasn’t close. I knew on Monday and Tuesday that we would win this game by the way we practiced.” The game was close early on, as the Highlanders led 21-14 late in the second quarter. Gatlinburg-Pittman would …

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 …

Carter vs Sevier County

Carter wins Saturday night classic over Sevier County 42-35

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEVIERVILLE – Sevier County took on the Carter Hornets on Saturday night in a game that was televised on Rivalry Thursday. The game was played and broadcast on Saturday to make up for Thursday’s lack of a game, since the University of Tennessee plays. The Smoky Bears were missing approximately seven starters for the game, including several key starters on defense, which meant there would be a good chance of a shootout. A shootout it was, as both teams went to the locker room for an hour early in the third quarter due to a lightning delay …

Cosby falls to 0-2 with loss at Unicoi County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON ERWIN – Cosby fell to 0-2 Friday night, as Unicoi County blew out the Eagles 44-0 behind four touchdowns combined from Nehemiah Edwards and Caleb Pelaez. Palaez had an 11-yard touchdown run and also returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown. The route was on early, as Edwards went 59 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. The junior also scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Edwards finished the night with 80 yards and two scores on six carries, while Palaez ran for 76 yards on six rushes. “They …

Heritage falls at Campbell County 42-7

BY BRIAN HAMILTON JACKSBORO- Heritage took an early 7-0 lead and looked to be up for the challenge against Campbell County Friday night, only to watch the Cougars score 42 unanswered for a 42-7 win. “We’re not tough enough to continue success without losing focus,” Heritage head coach Tim Hammontree said. “We have a little success and we’re so excited about that and we forget to do the next thing.” Quarterback Wesley Deck eluded a sack on 4th-and-17 and found Chase Ridings in the end zone for a 7-0 Mountaneers lead with 7:52 left in the first quarter. Campbell County …

William Blount gets thrashed by Karns 40-7

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – William Blount began the first game of a 4-game road trip on Friday night with a 40-7 loss to Karns. Karns’ DeSean Bishop had a field day against the Governors, rushing for 354 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a receiving touchdown as well. The Beavers ran for 560 yards total on the night. The Governors scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Clemmer to Job Matossian to take a first quarter lead. William Blount led 7-6 early on, but as mistakes mounted, the Governors found themselves in a 19-7 hole at halftime. William …

Jefferson County shuts out Cocke County 60-0 for first win since 2019

BY BRIAN HAMILTON NEWPORT – Jefferson County snapped an 18-game losing streak on Friday night by blowing out Cocke County 60-0. The Patriots last win was on September 5, 2019 against Morristown West, when Jefferson County defeated the Trojans to move to 3-0. The Patriots never won another game that season or in 2020. “It’s good for our kids and they feel good about themselves tonight,” Jefferson County head coach Spencer Riley said after the game. Cocke County received the opening kick and went three-and-out on their first drive, with Jefferson County taking over at the Fighting Cocks’ 34-yard line. …

Pigeon Forge downs Sullivan East 48-12 after rain delay

BY BRIAN HAMILTON PIGEON FORGE – A week after a heartbreaking road loss to Hampton, Pigeon Forge came out firing on all cylinders against Sullivan East, winning 48-12 after a 90 minute weather delay. The Tigers intercepted Sullivan East’s Judson Statham on their first possession and put together a 58-yard drive to take a 6-0 lead. Tyson McFall ran for a 15-yard score to capitalize on the turnover. The Patriots, however, would respond with a big play and tied the game at 6-6 after their extra-point was blocked. Pigeon Forge responded with a Brady Maples 11-yard touchdown to give the …

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 …

South-Doyle

South-Doyle hangs on to beat Grace behind Gary’s 4 TDs

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – South-Doyle escaped with a 34-27 win against Grace Christian Friday night behind running back Shawn Gary’s 286 yards and four touchdowns. “He’s a player,” South-Doyle head coach Clark Duncan said of Gary. “He does a great job, but we’ve got some great guys up front doing some great things and pushing people around and giving him opportunities to find daylight, then when he finds daylight, he’s just dynamic.” South-Doyle got on the board at the end of the first quarter when Gary ran for a 13-yard touchdown to put the Cherokees ahead 7-0 after one …