The Admirals hosted the Maryville Rebels at Bill Clabo Field on Friday, September 27 as fans packed the stadium to see the two 6A programs square off in a non-Region clash. The Admirals and Rebels battled in last year’s Class 6A Playoff Quarterfinals which ended in a 26-10 decision in favor of the Rebels. Maryville (5-0) entered the game undefeated and ranked #1/2 in most major Class 6A polls. The Admirals (2-3) came into the game with a much needed Region 1-6A win versus Morristown West. Though these two teams came into the game with much different records the game was still very much anticipated from both fanbases.
Maryville put their high-powered offense on display first as the Admirals elected to kickoff to begin the game. Andrew Doane recorded a big tackle for loss to keep the Rebels at bay early. A 3rd down conversion from QB Cade Chambers to talented WR A.J. Davis was aided by a facemask penalty to put the Rebels in Farragut territory for the first time. Chambers would find Davis two plays later for a 17 yard gain and move the ball inside the red zone. The Admirals’ defense would force another 3rd down opportunity but once again the Rebels would convert. Chambers hit WR Nick Dagel for a 9-yard score to put the Rebels up 7-0 early with 8:00 left to play in the first quarter.
Farragut’s Hunter Shopovick would return the ensuing kickoff out to the 23-yard line to start their opening series. QB Gavin Wilkinson hit WR Judah White early and found TE Alec Keathley over the middle to convert on an early third down attempt. The Admirals would stall from there, though, and Brady Hodges was called in to punt after the Admirals had moved the ball out to their own 44-yard line.
Maryville would begin their next drive on their 23-yard line following Hodges’ punt. The Rebels began with two quick first down runs by RB Parker McGill to start the drive. With the ball close to midfield the Admirals’ defense began to stand its’ ground. After a couple of nice stops, the Rebels decided to go for it on 4th-and-13 from their own 48-yard line. Farragut’s Andrew Doane would come up from his linebacker position to make a huge hit on the Rebel’s McGill as he attempted to catch a screen pass sneaking out of the backfield. The hit would cause a fumble that was recovered by Maryville, however the Admirals would take over on downs in great field position.
Wilkinson and the Admirals’ offense would start possession on Maryville’s 43-yard line. A couple runs by RB Sam Kniss and a short, 3rd down conversion run by Senior Gabe Hensley put the Admirals just outside the Maryville red zone. Wilkinson would throw to Judah White for 13 yards and move the offense closer as the first quarter came to a close. After flipping ends of the field, Hensley would take a handoff and burst through the middle of the Rebels’ defense for 8 yards down to the 5-yard line for first-and-goal. On second down, Wilkinson would drop back to throw and see room for himself outside the pocket. Wilkinson’s scramble managed to beat the Rebels’ Mason Shelton to the right pylon to score from 5 yards out. The Admirals had moved 43 yards in nine plays on the drive and tied the score at 7-7 with 11:03 remaining until halftime.
Maryville would answer on their next drive after taking over on their own 35-yard line following Simeon Sharp’s kickoff. Cade Chambers hit A.J. Davis from 6 yards out to put the Rebels back ahead. The Rebels’ drive covered 65 yards in six plays taking little time off the clock. A big play on the drive was a 43-yard swing pass to RB McGill out in the flat. With 8:57 left in the second quarter the Rebels led 14-7.
Farragut would again move the ball into Maryville territory on their next series. Sam Kniss found a big hole up the middle and sprinted 18 yards across midfield. Farragut would march 33 yards on seven plays but a Maryville sack of Wilkinson on second down pushed the Admirals’ offense back to the 43-yard line. A failed third down attempt would bring on punter Brady Hodges to punt away.
Maryville would begin possession from their own 20-yard line and move 51 yards in 10 plays into Farragut territory. But the Admirals’ defense would again hold their ground. Juniors Trey Nesbitt and Eli Purcell would converge for a tackle for loss on the Maryville running back. The ensuing play would result in an incomplete pass and bring up 4th down. Maryville’s Chambers dropped back from his own 29-yard line and immediately felt pressure from the Admiral rush. Junior DE Dawson Brown would corral Chambers for no gain as he attempted to escape the pocket and give the ball back to the Admirals’ offense after forcing their second 4th down stop on the night.
Farragut’s offense would not capitalize, though, as it fumbled the ball back to Maryville on its’ second play of the drive and give Maryville their best starting field position of the night at the Admirals’ 31-yard line. Chambers and the Rebels needed just six plays to score as McGill sprinted in from 14 yards out to score. With just :58 remaining until half, Maryville had stretched their lead to 21-7 over Farragut.
Wilkinson would lead the Admirals’ offense down the field in a great two-minute drive. Farragut needed 8 plays to move the ball 58 yards with Wilkinson going 4-of-5 passing and wasting little time on the clock. Wilkinson was able to hit Keathley for nine yards and a first down to start the drive. He found Judah White twice for a total of 19 yards to move the ball into Rebel territory. Gabe Hensley sprinted up the middle for nine yards to pick up a short third down conversion and move the ball dow to the Rebels’ 32. Wilkinson found Shopovick one play later on the sideline to move the ball for 18 yards and inside the Rebels’ red zone. Sophomore kicker Simeon Sharp came on and drilled the 31-yard field goal as time expired in the half. The Rebels led 21-10 but Farragut had claimed some momentum going into the locker room.
Farragut would continue to ride that momentum on the opening drive of the second half. Wilkinson would lead the Admirals on an 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive resulting in an Isaiah Arrington TD reception covering 10 yards. Strong running by Kniss combined with timely passing from Wilkinson kept the Rebels’ defense on their heels. Shopovick found room across the middle as Wilkinson found him for 29 yards to move the ball into the red zone. After a holding penalty against the Admirals, Shopovick would again find room in the Rebels’ secondary for 16 yards to move the ball down to the 13-yard line. Wilkinson would find Arrington two plays later and the Admirals had cut the deficit to 21-17 with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter.
Maryville’s offense would again move into Farragut territory on their ensuing possession. But the defense of Farragut would stand strong yet again. Eli Purcell and the Admirals’ defense would repeatedly apply pressure to the Rebel QB and a third down incomplete pass brought up another 4th down decision for the Rebels. This time they sent out their placekicker to attempt a 39-yard field goal from the right hash. Purcell, once again applying pressure, saw the kick come up short of the crossbar and the Admirals’ defense had held once again.
The Farragut running game combined with short passes to Keathley and Shopovick moved the ball across midfield. But after gaining 36 yards in just six plays, the Admirals would see their second fumble of the night end the drive at the Rebels’ 42-yard line.
Maryville’s offense would capitalize this time. After being penalized 15 yards for a late hit personal foul on the Rebels’ offense, Maryville would see themselves in a 3rd-and-16 situation. Chambers dropped back and found his speedy WR Ashton Maples behind the secondary for a 64-yard TD strike to push the Rebels’ lead to 28-17 following the extra point. The Rebels claimed an 11-point advantage as 1:13 remained on the third quarter clock.
Farragut’s offense would again try to respond. Starting from their own 35-yard line following Maryville’s kickoff that went out of bounds, Farragut would march 39 yards in eight plays into the red zone. A 34-yard reception to Keathley on third down helped extend the drive. Wilkinson could not find Keathley again two plays later, and a Maryville sack on third down ended the drive. Simeon Sharp was called upon once again but his 43-yard attempt sailed just wide to the left as the Rebels would maintain an 11-point lead.
Maryville would go to the ground to run some clock as McGill and Chambers combined to move for yardage on the ensuing drive. Facing a third-and-goal, Chambers found A.J. Davis from nine yards out to push the Maryville lead to 35-17. The Rebels had managed to march 80 yards in nine plays, and with 6:36 remaining in the game, Maryville had it’s largest lead of the night.
Farragut’s offense would not go quietly. Wilkinson led the offense on a 10-play 74-yard scoring drive capping it off with his second rushing touchdown on the night. Isaiah Arrington had two catches for 38 yards on the drive to move closer to the red zone. Maryville would be called for a pass interference penalty to move the ball to the 13-yard line. Sam Kniss would dart up the middle for nine yards and Wilkinson’s second touchdown run on the keeper would cover the final four yards. Farragut had managed to cut the lead to 35-24 with 3:03 remaining in the game but Farragut’s attempt at an onsides kick would fail. The Maryville offense was able to pick up two first downs that were needed to run out the clock.
Farragut dropped to 2-3 overall on the season, but still look to defend their Region 1-6A Championship from a year ago. The Admirals remain unbeaten (1-0) in Region 1 play and begin a five-game stretch against Region 1 opposition this week. Farragut and Maryville will play Freshmen and JV games on Monday, September 30, at Bill Clabo Field. Kickoffs are set for approximately 5:30 and 7:15 respectively. As always be sure to check out photos from all the games at crfoto.com and check out replays of the Varsity games online made possible by the Farragut Football Boosters Club.
Farragut’s first opportunity to bounce back will be at home this Friday versus Science Hill (2-4) at Bill Clabo Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm. Despite their overall record (2-4), the Hill Toppers will look to remain atop the Region 1 standings at 2-0.
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