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Farragut Falls to Maryville 27-3

The Ads travelled to Maryville on Friday night for the final out-of-region game of the season to take on the defending state champion Rebels. Friday also marked the return on of Head Coach Eddie Courtney, just 9 days removed from prostate cancer surgery, as he coached from the press box. 

Farragut won the toss and elected to defer the option to the 2nd half, so the Rebels received the opening kickoff. The Admiral defense would hold strong, but the Rebels would be bailed out by two penalties on third down, and a fourth down penalty. The Rebels would score on a 2 yard run that gave them a 7-0 lead 5:46 left in the first. The Admiral offense took over at their own 20 and began to march down the field, gaining 22 yards on the ground, before quarterback Dawson Moore’s first pass attempt of the night was intercepted by Maryville. The Ads would again hold strong, this time forcing a Maryville punt from their own end zone. The Admirals offense took the field again, this time just shy of midfield. Similar results ensued, as Dawson Moore would throw his second interception of the night to end the drive. 

The Rebels took over at their own 32 after the interception. The drive would be cut short after their quarterback ran, fumbled, and Joe Maine recovered the ball. Farragut’s offense started the drive at the Admiral 27 looking for points before halftime. The ensuing 10 play drive saw just one pass attempt, a 14 yard completion to Alex Taylor on third down, as the Ads picked up 41 yards on the ground. Farragut was unable to convert on a 3rd and 5. Reese Keeney was called in to attempt a 37 yard field goal, which was successful and cut the Rebel lead to 7-3 with 2:12 left before halftime. The Admiral defense looked to hold strong before halftime and leave a one possession game as the Ads were set to get the ball after half. A storyline like the one that began the game for the Rebel offense ensued. Maryville would again be helped by penalties and capped the drive off with an 11 yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 14-3 at halftime. 

Farragut opened the second half with the ball and the drive looked to be a promising one, but an untimely Eli Purcell fumble ended the drive. The Rebels wasted no time answering, as they scored on the first play of the drive via a 66 yard touchdown run and extended their lead to 21-3 with 9:11 left in the 3rd. The Ads looked to answer, but a short run, an incompletion, and a short QB scramble forced a Brady Hodges punt. Maryville started the next drive at their own 45 and three plays in, took it 46 yards on a quarterback keep from the wildcat formation, extending their lead to 27-3, after a missed PAT. Farragut took over and marched from their own 20 to the Rebel 25, but a fumble, recovered by Farragut, a penalty, and three straight incompletions killed the drive. 

The Admiral defense again took the field and were able to force a turnover on downs after Corey Walker batted down the Rebel pass attempt on fourth down. Farragut’s offense struggled to get jump started as a minus yard rush and two incompletions ended the Admiral drive. The Rebels took over and embarked on a 13 play drive that ended with the Admiral defense holding strong on at the 3 yard line and stopping Maryville from scoring with :49 left to play. The Ads took over at their own three, but without time, the drive ended as the clock ran out and Maryville beat Farragut 27-3. 

Farragut drops to 3-2 on the season but are 1-0 in region play. The Ads return to region play next week as they travel to Johnson City and take on the Hilltoppers from Science Hill. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm, and please stayed tuned to the Farragut Football Twitter account for ticket information. 

A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz and Ashley Wathen of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Be sure to checkout CRFOTO.com every week for a full photo gallery from Friday’s game.  See a photo you like?  They are also available for purchase directly from his website.  Click here for this week’s photos.

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Ads Sail By Mo-West 45-14

Friday night was Homecoming at Bill Clabo Field and the Admirals looked to open region play with a win. It also marked just the second game since 1981 that Coach Eddie Courtney was not on the Farragut sidelines as he recovered from prostate cancer surgery.

The Trojans won the opening toss and elected to defer the option to the 2nd half. After a 25-yard kickoff return, the Admiral drive began at their own 40-yard line.

Matt White catches a TD pass against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

A 7-play touchdown drive would ensue, as Dawson Moore found Matt White in the endzone on a 7-yard throw. The Ads lead 7-0 with 9:18 left in the 1st. The Admiral defense then took the field at the Mo-West 30. On the 8th play of the drive the Trojan QB mishandled the snap and Trey Nesbitt recovered the ball.

Zach Keasling catches a TD pass against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Admiral offense setup shop at their own 28. The drive looked bleak on 3rd and 11, but Dawson Moore found Zach Keasling for a 17-yard completion to keep the drive alive. Four plays later Dawson Moore found Matt White on a 25-yard touchdown pass to put the Admirals up 14-0 with 2:09 left in the 1st.

The Trojan offense looked to answer the call on their next drive. Mo-West converted on 3rd down twice and once on 4th, en route to an 11 play, 64-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown run. The Ads still lead 14-7 with 9:57 left in the 2nd.

Aiden Smith and Carter Schuermann protect the QB against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

Farragut looked to answer the Mo-West offense, but 3rd and 11 put the drive in jeopardy, but Dawson Moore would find Zach Keasling yet again, this time for a 55-yard touchdown catch. This gave the Admirals a 21-7 lead with 8:18 left before halftime. Morristown-West would not back down though, as a 38-yard run on 4th and 1 was the catalyst for the 16-yard touchdown run 5 plays later, cutting the Admiral lead to 21-14 with 4:33 left before halftime. However, Farragut wasted no time answering, as Dawson Moore found Matt White on a swing pass that White took 68 yards to pay dirt. That play put the score at 28-14, advantage Farragut, with 4:09 left to play in the 1st half. The Admiral defense would hold strong on the ensuing Trojan drive, as a big 4th and 1 stop gave the ball back to the Admiral offense with just :40 left before half. The Ads were determined to get points and did just that.

Alex Taylor catches a TD pass against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

Dawson Moore threw is 5th touchdown of the first half, this time 29 yards to Zach Taylor, extending the Farragut lead to 35-14 at halftime.

Morristown-West received the opening kickoff of the 2nd half looking to cut into the Admiral lead. The Farragut defense would answer the call though, forcing their first three-and-out of the night forcing the Trojans to punt. The ensuing Admiral drive would follow suit, as the Ads were forced to punt away after their first three-and-out of the night as well.

Camden Kuhn sacks the QB pass against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The next Trojan drive looked promising as they had a 1st and Goal from the 6, but a loss 6 yards on a run and a 13 yard Camden Kuhn sack proved to be too much as the Trojans were unable to convert on 4th and 25 as pressure from Trey Nesbitt forced a 12 yard sack on the QB. However, the Admiral offense would carbon copy their last drive, a three-and-out, as Brady Hodges punted away to Morristown-West.

Joe Maine intercepts a pass against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Trojan drive looked promising after a 45 yard completion set them up at the Admiral 23, but a Joe Maine interception and 35 yard INT return on a failed screen play, gave the Ads the ball at the Trojan 30.

A sack on 2nd down, followed by an incompletion on 3rd, setup a 41-yard Reese Keeney field goal attempt, which he nailed and extended the Ads lead to 38-14 with 11:49 left in the 4th. The Farragut defense would hold strong yet again, forcing another three-and-out. The Admirals took over, looking to score after a 15-yard Trojan punt that was downed at the Mo-West 27. However, a fumble on the second play of the drive ended it before it got started. Another big stop on 3rd down by the Admiral defense, forced the Trojans to punt.

Trace Corum catches a TD pass against Mo-West on 9/18. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Admiral offense wasted no time, as Trace Corum turned a 7-yard hitch route thrown by Dawson Moore into a 54-yard touchdown. This touchdown pass gave Dawson Moore the Farragut High single game record for touchdown passes, with 6. This extended the Farragut lead to 45-14 with 7:02 left to play. Farragut’s defense had one more stop left in them, this time with backups getting some valuable Friday night reps, as pressure on 4th and 12 left the Trojans unable to convert. The Admirals looked to run out the clock on their next drive, and did just that, but first sophomore QB Barrett Smith was able complete his first varsity pass, as Max DeVault hauled in the 4-yard completion.

As the clock expired, the Admirals defeated Morristown-West 45-14 and improved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in Region 1-6A play. Farragut will travel to Blount County next week for the final non-region contest of the year against Maryville. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm at Maryville High School as tickets go on sale in the Main Office at Farragut High School starting Monday morning at 9:00am. We have a limited allotment for away games, so get your tickets early in the week! $8 each – while they last.

A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz and Ashley Wathen of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Be sure to checkout CRFOTO.com every week for a full photo gallery from Friday’s game.  See a photo you like?  They are also available for purchase directly from his website.  Click here for this week’s photos.

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Round 2

As the old saying goes, it’s not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up. Coach Eddie Courtney has certainly been a fighter throughout his career and always seems to find the silver lining in the worst of storms.

Farragut head football coach Eddie Courtney accepts the first “Eddie Courntey Courage Award” at the Prep Xtra football banquet. Courtney coached the Admirals to a 11-2 record this season despite his battle with Hodgkin’s Disease. The award will be given annually in his honor. (2006 ASB, News Sentinel staff)

He valiantly battled Hodgkin’s disease in 2005 with courage that most would have had trouble finding. So much so, that in 2006 the Knoxville News Sentinel created the Eddie Courtney Courage Award, “an award that will be given each year to a player, coach or contributor to local high school football who has shown the spirit to face fear or danger with confidence, resolution and dignity.” Coach Eddie Courtney was the first ever recipient of the award which was named in his honor.

Farragut football coach Eddie Courtney conducts practice Wednesday at Farragut High School. Although being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in April, Courtney has guided his team to a 8-2 record and hasn’t missed a day of practice. 11/2/05 (Photo by Clay Owen/News Sentinel.)

After a routine yearly physical this summer, his doctor noticed his PSA levels were slightly elevated. Coach visited a specialist who requested further testing and a biopsy. The result of the biopsy was a cancerous tumor contained to the prostate. Coach Courtney was one of more than 191,000 men that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. While it was certainly not the results that anyone would hope for, the prognosis for this type of prostate cancer are good,  especially since the tumor is contained in the prostate and had not spread.

Always wanting to act as quickly as possible, Coach Courtney was ready to do surgery the next day. Unfortunately, the body needs to heal after a biopsy, so six weeks after the biopsy was as soon as surgery could be performed.

The 1977 Farragut High School Football staff, the first that Coach Eddie Courtney was apart of. He is third from the right, next to Coach Ken Sparks.

That pushed the surgery date to Wednesday, September 16th, two days before the Admirals are set to open region play against Morristown-West. This could mark the second game since 1981 that Coach Eddie Courtney will not be on the Farragut sidelines, the most recent in 2008 at Soddy Daisy. Coach Courtney stated that his future is clear because he knows that it is in God’s hands.

**9/16/2020 11:00am UPDATE***
Coach Courtney is out of surgery and doctors are pleased at the outcome, as everything went as planned. Please continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts as the road to recovery begins.

Farragut races by Oak Ridge 45-25

The Admirals returned home Thursday night after a much-needed bye week following a disappointing night at West in Week 2. Thursday night was also senior night at Bill Clabo Field, usually reserved for the final home game of the year but moved up due to COVID concerns, as the 24 seniors were honored. 

Farragut won the toss, elected to defer, and started the game on defense. The Wildcats wasted no time getting the ball moving, going on a seven play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a 43-yard touchdown pass. That put Oak Ridge on the board first, leading 6-0 with 9:48 left in the 1st after a missed PAT. The Farragut offense took the field looking to answer, and they did just that.

The Admiral offensive line blocks against Oak Ridge on 9/10. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

A 73 yard, ten play drive ended as Eli Purcell gave the Admirals their first lead of the night at 7-6 on a 1 yard touchdown run with 6:50 left in the 1st. Oak Ridge took to the field and a 78 yard drive was capped off by a 36 yard touchdown pass. After another missed PAT, the Wildcats led 12-7 with 4:39 left in the 1st. The Admirals again looked to answer the Oak Ridge touchdown and were able to do so after Dawson Moore found Matt White in the end zone from 6 yards out, putting Farragut back in the lead 14-12 to close the 1st quarter. 

The Wildcats would take over at their own 20 and march down the field to the Farragut 12-yard line but were unable to convert on a 4th and 3 as an incompletion ended the drive.

Dawson Moore throws a pass against Oak Ridge on 9/10. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

A 39-yard Dawson Moore to Matt White touchdown pass again capped off a drive this time 10 plays and 88 yards. The Admirals extended their lead to 21-12 with 3:30 left before halftime. A three and out was in store for the Wildcats on their next drive as they were forced to punt for the first time of the evening. 7 plays later, the Admirals were forced to bring their punter onto the field for their first punt of the night. With 1:24 left before half, Oak Ridge desperately needed points, as the Admirals were set to get the ball after halftime. They did just that, as an 8-play drive ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass that made the score 21-18 at half, after a failed 2 point try. 

The Admirals opened the second half with the ball looking to extend their lead after giving up a touchdown with a few seconds left before the half.

Dawson Moore carries the ball against Oak Ridge on 9/10. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

Dawson Moore’s 1 yard touchdown run capped off a 10 play, 71 yard drive and gave the Admirals a 28-18 lead with 8:27 left in the 3rd. Oak Ridge answered the call yet again, as a 24 yard QB scramble pulled the Wildcats back to within three, as Farragut still lead 28-25 with 4:28 left in the 3rd. An eight-play drive would end as Dawson Moore connected with Matt White for the third time of the night on a 24-yard touchdown pass and give Farragut a 35-25 lead with 2:37 left in the 3rd. 

Mason Collins records a tackle against Oak Ridge on 9/10. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The ensuing Wildcat drive ended with an incompletion on 4th and 12 and a turnover on downs. Unfortunately, the Admirals were unable to sustain a drive and punted away giving the Wildcats the ball back at their own 6.

Reese Keeney hits a 32 yard field goal against Oak Ridge on 9/10. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

On their next drive Oak Ridge was unable to convert on a 4th and 2, thus giving the ball back to the Admirals at the Wildcat 14. Farragut struggled to get anything going, but a Reese Keeney 32-yard field goal allowed the Admirals to make it a two-touchdown game, extending the lead to 38-25 with just 2:50 left to play.

Trey Nesbitt pressures the QB against Oak Ridge on 9/10. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Admiral defense would again hold strong, forcing a turnover on downs after an incompletion on 4th and 5. The Admiral offense took over with 1:36 left looking to run the clock out. Junior Schumann Xie had other plans, as he would bust loose on the second play of the drive for a 46-yard touchdown. This put the final score at 45-25, as the Admirals now hold bragging rights in this storied rivalry until next year.

The Admirals improved to 2-1 on the season with the win over Oak Ridge. Region play will begin next week as Morristown-West will travel to Bill Clabo Field on Friday night. 

A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz and Ashley Wathen of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Be sure to checkout CRFOTO.com every week for a full photo gallery from Friday’s game.  See a photo you like?  They are also available for purchase directly from his website.  Click here for this week’s photos.

 

CLICK HERE FOR STATS

Admirals Fall to West, 30-7

The Admirals traveled to Knox-West to take on the Rebels for some Saturday Night Lights action in Week 2. This has become an annual matchup with the teams meeting every season since 2007, as Farragut looked to start the season 2-0.

The Admirals won the coin toss and elected to defer to the 2nd half, meaning West started the game on offense.

Bridges Coffey makes a tackle against West on 8/29. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Rebels got off to a hot start gaining 40 yards on their first three plays and scored a touchdown on the 7th play of the drive thanks to a 19-yard pass. With 9:01 left in the 1st, West led Farragut 7-0. The Admiral offense would start their first drive of the game at their own 17 looking to answer. A pair of incompletions and a run for a loss caused the Ads to go three and out.

Mason Collins intercepts the throw against West on 8/29. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Farragut defense would however answer the call, when Mason Collins intercepted the ball on the second play of the drive and set the Farragut offense up at the West 41. Unfortunately, it was a mirror image of the first time, two incompletions and a minus yard run forced a Brady Hodges punt. After a forced punt by the Farragut defense, the offense again took over from their own 20 looking to tie the game.

A 9-play, 80 touchdown drive would ensue, as a 22-yard completion Dawson Moore to Matt White completion would be the catalyst on 3rd and 7.

Matt White carries the ball against West on 8/29. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

Matt White would again provide a spark a few plays later rushing for 28 yards from the quarterback position. Two plays later, a 3-yard Dawson Moore to Alex Taylor touchdown pass would even the score at 7 with 10:41 left in the 2nd. The Admirals and the Rebels would trade punts, and then a Dylan Cosey forced fumble from the West receiver and Grant Rice recovered the ball just before going out of bounds. Failed forth down conversions by Farragut and West ended the first half tied at 7. 

Grant Rice makes a tackle against West on 8/29. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Ads received the ball after half and looked to take the lead. A 28-yard Matt White run on 2nd down hoped to be a spark that the Ads needed, but a holding penalty two plays later deep in the back field would kill the drive. The Ads were forced to punt away on 4th and 28, but the Rebels were able to penetrate and block the punt. It took 3 plays for West to score from 8 yards out, giving them a 14-7 lead with 7:58 left in the 3rd.

Eli Purcell makes a tackle against West on 8/29. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

Another three and out for the Admiral offense led to a 19-yard Rebel field goal making the score 17-7 with 2:15 left in the 3rd. The Ads were able to pick up a first down on the ensuing drive but were unable to convert on a 3rd and 4, giving away for another Brady Hodges punt. 

The Rebels would embark on a 10-play, 78-yard drive that was capped off by a 23-yard touchdown pass that extended their lead to 24-7 with 8:13 to play.

Joe Maine makes a tackle against West on 8/29. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com

The Ads looked to answer, but a sack and delay of game penalty killed the drive. Brady Hodges eighth punt of the night capped the drive off and the Rebels would return the punt 40 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and put the final score at 30-7. 

The Admirals fell to 1-1 on the season after a tough night at West. Farragut is off next week before hosting Oak Ridge in Week 4 on Thursday night, September 10th. Stay tuned here for all things Farragut Football.

A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz and Ashley Wathen of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Be sure to checkout CRFOTO.com every week for a full photo gallery from Friday’s game.  See a photo you like?  They are also available for purchase directly from his website.  Click here for this week’s photos.

CLICK HERE FOR GAME STATS