Frias

Morristown West uses early lead to take down East 24-7

CHRISTOPHER MALONEY Correspondent In the annual area high school “kickoff” game of the season, the 2022 version of the Kickoff Classic saw Morristown West come storming out of the gate and then cause problems with interceptions and stifling defense to beat Morristown East 24-7. Morristown East coach Caleb Slover also brought up their Achilles heel in 2021 continued, which was the inability to finish drives including in the final quarter when turnovers killed the Hurricanes’ chances to score. Morristown West coach Alvin Sanders, on the other hand, was very pleased with how his team played. It wasn’t perfect and there …

Carter

Carter falls to Webb in opener 46-21

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Carter did not start the season the way Coach Justin Pressley had hoped after a solid showing in last week’s jamboree at Knox Central. The Hornets kept pace with Webb early, trailing just 19-14 at the half, but a 27-point second half by the Spartans sent Carter home with a 46-21 loss. Pressley was unable to coach the game however, as he served a suspension for being ejected during last season’s first round playoff loss to Elizabethton, as Carter assistant Dustin Dudley served as head coach for the game. “We’ve got a lot of stuff …

Grainger Grizzlies jog onto the field.

Grainger Wins Season Opener on Road at Cumberland Gap

BY DANIEL SPARKMAN CUMBERLAND GAP – Despite some big plays by Cumberland Gap, Grainger’s hard-nosed ground game wins the night with a 42-32 victory over the Panthers. Friday night started with an explosive play from Cumberland Gap’s sophomore running back Brayden Painter as he took the opening kickoff 80 yards to start the game with a six point lead. Panthers sophomore tight end Allen Brooks followed up with the two-point conversion to improve the score to 8-0. Grainger’s first drive of the game ended with a two-yard run into the end zone, the PAT was no good. Panthers keep the …

Jefferson County

Sevier County wins defensive battle 7-6 over Jefferson County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEVIERVILLE – If you like a lot of scoring and offensive firepower, then Thursday night’s game between rivals Sevier County and Jefferson County was not for you. It was a defensive slugfest, especially in the second half, as Sevier County scored on its first drive and Jefferson County scored in the second quarter, with the only difference being a blocked extra-point that gave the Smoky Bears a 7-6 season-opening win. “I’ve never heard of an ugly win,” Sevier County head coach Todd Loveday said. “I’ll never apologize to win any kind of game. Jefferson County is a …

Maryville Football

Clemmer shines in first start for Maryville, as Rebels defeat Heritage 45-7

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Both teams came into the game with some fresh faces, as Heritage head coach and former Vols assistant coach Joe Osovet was coaching in his first game with the Mountaineers and Maryville was showcasing new quarterback Matthew Clemmer for the first time in its offense. Clemmer, a senior transfer from William Blount, finally got his first start for the Rebels and didn’t take him long to throw his first touchdown pass, as he found Noah Vaughn for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. The former Governor threw for 259 yards and four touchdowns …