BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – It was the 97th edition of the Battle of Pistol Creek. Like many of the previous editions, everyone in attendance knew what you could expect, a close game with several climactic, pivotal moments. Friday’s rendition of the bitter rivals proved to be just that. For the second consecutive year, Alcoa came away with a crucial stop in the red zone to hold on a late lead and come away with a close victory, winning 28-21. The Tornadoes seniors will go out 3-1 against Maryville, a team that it had only beaten once between 2011 and …
Alcoa uses strong third quarter to avenge early season loss to West
BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Alcoa used a big third quarter to break open a game that was tightly contested early on, as the Tornadoes outscored West by 15 in the period and went on to preserve a 69-59 win. The win avenges a 73-71 loss in the Alcoa Thanksgiving Classic back in late November. It is worth noting that the Tornadoes were missing starters Eli Owens, Eli Graf and several other football players for that contest. “One of our key points to being successful was a fast start and a strong finish,” Alcoa coach Ryan Collins mentioned after the …
Lady Tornadoes throttle West 72-14 to open 2024
BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Alcoa jumped out on West early and never let up, as the Lady Tornadoes found themselves leading by 30 points at halftime, which resulted in Alcoa coach David Baumann playing his entire roster and cruising to a 72-14 win to start 2024. “It gets the right taste in their mouths, obviously (after New Year’s break),” Baumann said after the game. “It gets them back in shape a little bit. We talked about it before the game and during the game and we always want to work on ‘us’ and obviously it was good to get …
Lady Tornadoes defeat Knox Catholic to win Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies’ Classic
BY BRIAN HAMILTON Greeneville – Alcoa ended 2022 on a positive note Saturday night, as the Lady Tornadoes (14-1) defeated Knox Catholic (8-9) by a score of 58-47 to win their first ever Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies’ Classic in Greeneville. The tournament is the second that Alcoa has won over the holiday break, as the Lady Tornadoes won the KSV Events Holiday Tournament in Orlando, Fla. before Christmas. “It says a lot about our team and the toughness we have” Alcoa coach David Baumann said. “That’s what we talked about before this game. We said, ‘This will be a suck …
Alcoa tops Maryville 27-14 for first win in rivalry since 2018
BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Brian Nix became the first Alcoa head coach to win the Battle of Pistol Creek in his first try since Scott Meadows did it in 2000, as the Tornadoes went into Maryville and came away with a 27-14 win Friday night. The Rebels had an opportunity to win the game late, but Jordan Harris came away with an interception return for a touchdown, as Maryville was driving deep into Alcoa territory. “I’m so proud, once again just with their character,” Nix said after the game. “They’re just good kids. I was telling somebody the other …