BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – The King’s Academy Lions found themselves in choppy waters early against the Christian Academy of Knoxville Friday night. Despite having star running back Nakelin McAfee, the Lions offense could never get in a groove, as TKA lost 33-6. CAK successfully recovered an onside kick on the first play of the game and then scored a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to lead 7-0. On TKA’s first possession, the Lions were forced to punt to CAK running back J.D. Dunn, who returned it to the TKA 38-yard line. A punt by the Warriors pinned …
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 …
Pigeon Forge falls to Hampton 20-14, despite late rally
BY BRIAN HAMILTON HAMPTON – Pigeon Forge fell behind 14-0 in the first half against Hampton and were unable to recover, despite a late push by the Tigers. Hampton would score on the opening drive, as the Bulldogs put together a 10-play, 78-yard drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Conor Jones. Pigeon Forge then fell behind 14-0 when Jones found Johnathan Greenwell for a 24-yard score with three minutes left until halftime. Junior Ayden Littles returned the opening second half kick-off 71 yards for a touchdown, pulling the Tigers to within 14-7. A failed fourth down attempt …
Alcoa flexes offensive muscle with 41-13 win over Rhea County
BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – Alcoa returns Class 3A championship MVP quarterback Caden Buckles, who spearheaded a 41-point outburst in the first half, as the Tornadoes went on to a 41-13 win. Alcoa scored on five of its first six drives before calling off the dogs in the second half. “Forty points is never expected in the first half, but we just dominated,” Buckles said after the game. “That’s probably one of the best halves of football I’ve seen in a long time.” The six-time defending state champions got on the scoreboard quick, as running back Jordan Harris returned the …
Sevier County earns first win in Dandridge since 2013
BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Sevier County traveled to Dandridge on Friday night and came away with a hard-fought 21-13 win over Jefferson County. The Smoky Bears got on the board late in the first quarter when quarterback Collin Shannon ran for a score, making the score 7-0 with 1:33 left in the quarter. Sevier County would then go in front 14-0 when Shannon scrambled on fourth down and found Corbin Overbay for a 29-yard touchdown with just 1:48 left in the half. The Smoky Bears would go to the half with a 14-0 advantage. Jefferson County would cut the …