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 …
Seymour gets blasted by top-ranked Greeneville 66-7
BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR -Top-ranked Class 4A Greeneville came into Seymour Friday night and poured it on the Eagles Friday night by score of 66-7. The Greene Devils amassed 320 of their 412 total yards in the first half, cruising to a 56-7 halftime lead. Madon Gudger ran in for a 1-yard touchdown to give Greeneville a 7-0 lead with 9:01 left in the first. Gudger scored his second touchdown of the night on a 42-yard score, giving the Greene Devils a 14-0 lead. Gudger ran for a 25-yard touchdown, extending the Greeneville lead with 2:59 remaining in the third. …
King’s Academy falls to Middle Tennessee Christian 35-20
BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – The King’s Academy had won three games in a row, albeit the third being a COVID forfeit against Swain County in North Carolina, but two weeks ago, the Lions pulled off a huge feat, beating Friendship Christian 28-21 for their first ever win against the Commanders in eight tries. TKA came out flat after a week off on Friday, however, losing to Middle Tennessee Christian 35-20 in a crucial region game. “I said all week that they do a very good job in a very unique offense,” TKA head coach Jonathan Sellers said. “It’s disappointing …
Maryville makes quick work of Cleveland 42-7
BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Maryville defeated Region 2 foe Cleveland 42-7, as the Rebels executed well in all three phases of the game — offense, defense, and special teams. Maryville enters its bye week on a high-note and look to continue that heading into the Class 6A playoffs. “I think Cleveland is a good football team, but we just executed well,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said. “In the first half, we just had our way. Defensively, we were really strong and had a lot of guys making plays. It didn’t take the Rebels long to get on the …
Carter falls to Anderson County 48-14 on Thursday Night Rivals
BY BRIAN HAMILTON CLINTON – Carter fell behind early and fast on Thursday night, as the Mavericks raced to a 35-0 halftime lead and took sole possession of first place in the region with a 48-14 win. Anderson County jumped on Carter early by intercepting a tipped pass by Chandler Wilson and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Eli Davis intercepted another Wilson pass later in the first quarter and the Mavericks turned the Hornets’ miscue into seven points and a 14-0 lead. An Anderson County strip and fumble return …
Maryville remains unbeaten with 41-17 win over Science Hill
BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Science Hill made the trek from Johnson City and went home with a 41-17 defeat, as Maryville improved its record to 6-0, as the lone unbeaten team in Smoky Mountain Sports’ coverage area. “They have definitely improved each week and that’s the most impressive thing,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said of the Rebels’ performance. D.J Burks put Maryville on the board first with a 1-yard plunge, giving the Rebels a 6-0 lead with 6:08 left in the first quarter, as Corbin Price’s extra-point attempt was blocked. Noah Vaughn would run for an 11-yard score …
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 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 …
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 …










