Sevier County loses region opener to Knox Central 35-13

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – After a late game collapse last Saturday against Carter, which resulted in the Smoky Bears’ first loss of the season, Sevier County had more of an ‘early game collapse’ Friday night, falling behind 21-0 rather quickly. The Smoky Bears fought back, but ultimately fell by a score of 35-13. “We got behind the eight ball quick with the punt block, which set up a quick score for them,” Sevier County head coach Todd Loveday said. ” Knox Central blocked a punt, setting up their opening drive in the red zone. The Bobcats would score on …

Volunteer hands Seymour first loss of season

BY BRIAN HAMILTON CHURCH HILL – After an 0-10 season in 2020, Seymour had gotten off to a 2-0 start before traveling to Church Hill to face Volunteer on Friday. The Falcons, however, would hand the Eagles their first loss of the season by a score of 28-14. “I don’t know if we walked off the bus thinking we were going to win because we were 2-0 and they were 0-2,” Seymour head coach Scott Branton said. “The theme of the game for Seymour was self-inflicted mistakes.” The game was tied at 7-7 late in the second quarter when Volunteer …

TKA travels to Georgia, falls to Heritage 34-14

BY BRIAN HAMILTON RINGGOLD, Ga. – The King’s Academy was originally scheduled to travel to the Howard School in Chattanooga on Friday, but for the second consecutive week, the Lions had their game cancelled due to COVID-19. TKA rescheduled Heritage High School in Ringgold, Georgia on Friday night, but lost 34-14. “The positive is that we played so we can see what steps we need to continue taking,” King’s Academy head coach Jonathan Sellers said. “We have to get better with execution and that starts with me.” The game was scheduled less than 48 hours before kickoff, but things did …

Cosby loses hard-fought battle with Jellico

BY BRIAN HAMILTON COSBY – The Eagles took to the field at Virgil Ball Stadium for the first time this season Friday night, as Cosby looked to avenge a 52-6 loss to Jellico in 2020. The game came down to the wire and the Eagles had an opportunity to win the game, but would come away with a 34-26 loss. Jellico led 7-0 after the first quarter, but Tyler Turner and Cosby answered on the first play of the second quarter, as Turner found Hayden Green for a score. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Jellico with a 7-6 lead …

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 …