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 …

South-Doyle

South-Doyle takes down Fulton 43-21 after slow start

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Shawn Gary and Nick Martin answered the call for South-Doyle on Friday night. The Cherokees were coming off back-to-back losses after a 4-0 start, and after a slow start to Friday’s contest, the two leaders were not going to watch their team’s season go down in flames at Fulton by losing three straight. South-Doyle would score 30 consecutive points in the first half, cruising to a 43-21 win that was never really in doubt in the second half. The Falcons took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Raysean Jackson hit Marcellus Jackson for a 6-yard …

Patriots pick up first ever win over Dobyns-Bennett in Kingsport

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KINGSPORT – Jefferson County traveled to face Dobyns-Bennett on Friday night and came away with their first ever win in Kingsport, besting the Tribe 35-21 and keeping their unbeaten region record intact at 3-0. “It’s a great win for our kids,” Jefferson County head coach Spencer Riley said. “I think we put East Tennessee on notice that Jefferson County is here to play some football this year.” Jefferson County scored first on a 13-yard run by Omarian Mills, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead with 8:52 left in the first quarter. A Dobyns-Bennett fumble would help Jefferson …

Alcoa

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 …

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 …