Seymour defeats Grainger to clinch first playoff berth since 2015

BY BRIAN HAMILTON RUTLEDGE – Seymour clinched a playoff birth with a 35-14 win over Grainger on Friday, one year after going winless. “The turnover game is very important,” Seymour head coach Scott Branton said. “Whoever wins the turnover battle and runs the football better usually wins.” Seymour forced seven Grainger turnovers and slightly outrushed the Grizzlies 131 to 125. Grainger’s first turnover came on its first snap of the game, which was recovered by Seymour’s Tyler Rogers. The Eagles took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 5-yard run by Kai Thompson with 7:34 left, capping a …

Hammonds

Gatlinburg-Pittman trounces Northview Academy 48-6 behind 5 Hammonds TDs

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Gatlinburg-Pittman started fast on Thursday night and took a 41-0 halftime lead, en route to a 48-6 win, keeping the Highlanders in position to finish second in Region 2. Gatlinburg-Pittman hadn’t played in three weeks, due to a bye week followed by a COVID forfeit by Hampton last week. “It helped that we got out to a big lead, but we haven’t played recently, so we’ve got to play,” Gatlinburg-Pittman head coach Brad Waggoner said. “We’ve just got to keep getting better. I was really pleased with the way we came out, but we gave …

Sevier County players have record setting night in 42-0 win over Heritage

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEVIERVILLE – Sevier County kept Heritage winless on Thursday night, as quarterback Collin Shannon threw for 283 yards, helping him surpass the school passing record of 6,288 career yards. Linebacker Garrett Hawkins also recorded 10 tackles, making him the Smoky Bears’ all-time leader in tackles. Sevier County opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown drive to take a 7-0 lead with 10:29 remaining in the opening quarter. Heritage would fumble on its first possession, giving the Smoky Bears a short field, which led to another score, putting the Mountaineers in a 14-0 hole less than three minutes …

Carter survives scare from Morristown West 24-19

BY BRIAN HAMILTON STRAWBERRY PLAINS – Carter survived by the skin of its teeth again, as Wilson came through in the clutch with a touchdown run to give the Hornets a 24-19 win over Morristown West. The game featured a total of 38 penalties for 375 yards. The Trojans took a 3-0 on its first drive when Caleb Santana connected on a 28-yard field goal with 10:03 remaining in the first quarter. Carter would get on the board with a Chandler Wilson touchdown pass to Kaleb Harper. The two-point conversion attempt failed, however, making the score 6-3 with 4:44 left …

TKA picks up big region win over Lakeway Christian 42-27

BY BRIAN HAMILTON WHITE PINE – TKA responded to a 35-20 loss to Middle Tennessee Christian that dashed the Lions’ region championship hopes with a solid 42-27 region win over Lakeway Christian Friday night. The King’s Academy jumped out to a quick 28-6 first quarter lead over Lakeside Christian behind four touchdowns by senior running back Nakelin McAfee. Leading 14-0, the Lions were able to recover a fumble on a strip sack, giving the offense a short field, which led to a McAfee touchdown to make the score 21-0. Lakeway Christian was finally able to get on the scoreboard when …

Morristown East earns first win of season, defeating Cocke County 42-7

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MORRISTOWN – Cocke County handed Morristown East its first win of the season on Friday night. The Fighting Cocks looked good early, as they scored on their first possession. However, the Hurricanes would score 42 unanswered points to win 42-7. Cocke County received the opening kick and marched down the field for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with 9:12 left in the first quarter. Morristown East would answer immediately, as Eli Seals found Trevor Malone for a touchdown. The Hurricanes converted the extra-point to tie the game at 7-7 with 7:50 left in the first. …

Jefferson County takes down Hardin Valley 42-7 on homecoming

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Jefferson County jumped out to a 14-0 lead and led 21-7 at halftime, as the Patriots would defeat Hardin Valley 42-7 on homecoming. Omarian Mills scored the first two touchdowns of the game and Jefferson County would try an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. The Hawks recovered the punt and returned it to the Patriots’ 1-yard line. A quarterback sneak would make the score 14-7. Jefferson County responded on the next drive, marching down the field and cashing in on a 28-yard touchdown run by Blake Overton. The Patriots led 21-7 at halftime. The …

Northview-Grainger

Grainger spoils Northview Academy homecoming with 26-14 win

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Northview began its homecoming game against Grainger playing well and even got on the board first. Things started to go awry for the Cougars in the second quarter, however, as the Grizzlies took a 14-6 lead as the first half expired and came away with a hard fought 26-14 win. Quarterback Alex Cruz-Mendoza went into the end zone on a 7-yard run to put Northview Academy ahead 6-0 after the two-point conversion failed. Grainger would go on a methodical 14-play drive, resulting in a 1-yard touchdown by Blake Morse. The Cougars blocked the extra-point attempt, …

South-Doyle

South-Doyle falls to rival Central Knox 35-21

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – It was Thursday Night Rivals. It was South-Doyle’s homecoming. It was also wet, as both teams battled heavy rain throughout the game. The rain let up just enough for the homecoming court to remain dry at halftime, but started back heavy in the second half. Central Knox was able to take advantage of South-Doyle miscues and take a 35-21 win back to Knoxville against its traditional rival. The Cherokees got off to a quick start against the Bobcats, as running back Shawn Gary ran 60 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. …

Governors come up short against West Ridge 28-21

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – William Blount fell to 1-6 on the season after West Ridge came in and took a 28-21 win from the Governors. “There’s no shortcuts and no easy ways to success,” William Blount head coach Philip Shadowens said after the loss. “We’re not a team that can afford to have 100 yards in penalties, but I thought our kids fought their butts off, and they’re always going to do that.” Willian Blount took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Matthew Clemmer went into the end zone for a score with 7:15 left in the first quarter. …