November 9, 2017 by Ken Lay, Correspondent Farragut Press

Farragut High School’s football team trailed most of the night before earning the right to advance to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Ads had their hands full with a tough Cleveland squad — while also facing a little self-inflicted adversity.

Farragut had to overcome four turnovers and a fourth-quarter deficit to notch a 42-28 victory over the Blue Raiders Friday night, Nov. 3, at Bill Clabo Field.

The Admirals [9-2] finally took the lead when senior tight end Jacob Warren hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Gavin Wilkinson with 2:06 remaining in the contest to make the score 34-28.

Freshman kicker Daniel Bethel added the fifth of his six extra points to give FHS a 35-28 lead.

“That’s a play that we always have in our back pocket,” said Warren, who had eight receptions for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns, about Wilkinson’s roll right and throw left pass. “We just have to execute it.

“It’s just a matter of going out there and executing. See the ball, go get it. Focus.”

The Blue Raiders, No. 3 seed in Region 2-6A, finish the 2017 season with an 8-3 record.

“We knew that Cleveland was a good football team and we knew that we were going to have to score points,” Farragut head coach Eddie Courtney said. “[Coach Scott] Cummings has a done a great job with them offensively and they really believe in what they do on defense — and we knew that.”

The Admirals, who struggled all night, controlled the fourth quarter. After Warren gave Farragut the lead for good, it would add insurance when Isaiah Gibbs scored from seven yards out with just under a minute to play to make the score 42-28.

The game’s final touchdown was set up when senior linebacker Cade Burkey recovered a Cleveland fumble and rumbled to the 7-yard line.

It was Burkey’s second recovery of the game.

He closed the first half by scooping up a Blue Raider turnover and appeared to score a go-ahead touchdown but was ruled down by contact as the play was whistled dead.

Burkey, however, wasn’t complaining after the game.

“The best thing about a good team is that they always find a way to make plays,” he said. “We have good linebackers and when one of us is having a bad day, the other two will step up and pick the other one up.

“I’m really happy. Hat’s off to Jacob Warren for making catches that I just didn’t think we’re possible,” he added.

The final play made things even more special for Farragut. Max Travis, a senior, picked off a pass from Cleveland’s Kellye Cawood in the end zone as time expired.

Travis was slated to be Farragut’s starting quarterback but he was injured twice, dashing those hopes. But he made some big plays on defense against Cleveland.

“It felt great to get that interception,” Travis said. “It was a long time coming and it felt great.

“You don’t get to play with your brothers for 11 weeks and it’s great to finally go out there and play.”

“I’m proud for Max and I’m proud for our team,” Courtney said. “He was supposed to be our starting quarterback and he broke his hand. Then, he had an upper arm injury. But he was consistent and he stayed around. So we wanted to give him a chance to play.”

The night got off to a bad start for the Ads. Cleveland’s big play offense scored first when Cawood connected with Romeo Wykle on a 94-yard scoring strike midway through the opening frame.

The Ads answered when Warren made a spectacular catch in the end zone, making it 7-7.

Cleveland regained the lead later in the quarter on a 75-yard touchdown scamper by Keegan Jones.

Injured in the third quarter, Jones rushed for 230 yards. He also would score on a 90-yard run before being hurt, giving the Blue Raiders a 21-14 lead early in the third stanza.

Farragut scored the only points in the second stanza on a touchdown run by Gibbs.

Josh Moses scored his third touchdown of the season to make 21-21 before Cleveland scored one final time.

Gibbs made it 28-28 with 8:08 left in the game.

“At the end of the day, we just didn’t have enough to get it done,” said Cummings, a graduate of West High who led his alma mater to a Class 5A state championship in 2014. “We just didn’t execute.

“… Hats off to Farragut. They’re a great team.”

The Admirals will travel to Maryville in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

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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Despite throwing 4 interceptions in the first half and trailing by 22 at halftime, the Admirals roared back to to score with 1:20 left on the clock to take their first lead of the game, 36-29. The Hawks, though, would drive down the field and score from 38 yards out with 8.2 seconds left on the clock to put the score at 36-35. Hardin Valley decided to go for 2 and were successful and won the game 37-36.

The Admirals will host Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs on November 3rd.

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.

OFFICIAL GAME STATS

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The Admirals traveled to Kingsport Friday night to take on the Indians of Dobyns- Bennett in a Region 1-6A matchup. The Indians came out strong scoring on their first possession on a 3 yard run. The Admirals couldn’t get anything going on offense and punted away to DB. The Indians would find the end zone on their next two drives, which made it 21-0 midway through the 2nd quarter.

The Admiral offense found some life and scored on a 1 yard Isaiah Gibbs run to make it 21-7 with 4:24 left in the 2nd. Dobyns-Bennett again found the end-zone, this time via a 29 yard TD pass, making it 28-7 with just 1:03 left to play before halftime.

The Admirals responded by quickly driving the field and QB Gavin Wilkinson would find Braden Collins for a 34 yard TD pass. At half, the Indians led Farragut 28-14.

 

 

The Admirals received the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, but couldn’t convert on 3rd down and punted away.

The Indians ran down the field and scored from 1 yard out on a fullback dive, putting the score at 35-14 with 8:58 left in the 3rd. The Farragut offense would find a spark on the ensuing drive, which was capped off by a 1 yard Isaiah Gibbs TD run. The Admirals trailed Dobyns-Bennett 35-21 with 5:52 to play in the 3rd.

The Admiral defense forced the first DB punt of the night on the next drive and gave way to the Admiral offense. Gavin Wilkinson again found Braden Collins, this time from 32 yard out, for the Admiral TD. After a bad hold, the XP try was not converted, so the Indians led Farragut 35-27. After trading possessions, the Indian offense found themselves in a familiar spot, the end zone, this time courtesy an 11 yard run. The touchdown put the Indians ahead 42-27.

The Farragut offense was not finished yet however, as Gavin Wilkinson would find Braden Collins on their third touchdown connection of the night, this time for 55 yards. The Admirals couldn’t convert an onside kick or get a stop on defense after the touchdown. The Admirals fell to Dobyns-Bennett 42-34, snapping a 19 game win streak, the longest in school history.

The Admirals return home next Friday to host region rival Bearden at Bill Clabo Field.

 

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.

OFFICIAL GAME STATS

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Friday night was senior night at Bill Clabo Field, even though there is one home game left on the schedule.  With a win over Science Hill, the Admirals took a big leg up on the race for the Region 1-6A championship.  The Admirals also looked to answers some questions offensively, after managing just 89 yards and no points last week against West.

The Admirals won the toss and elected to defer the option to the second half.

Farragut would start fast, forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff, and recovered by the Admirals’ Hunter Shopovick at the Hilltopper 9-yard line.

Three plays later, QB Jake Evans would keep and run it in from 8 yards out to give the Admirals a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the 1st quarter.

The Admiral defense came out strong against a Science Hill offense that was averaging 42.4 points per game coming into the contest.  After a Neyland Harmon and Keenan TerHark sack on 3rd and 5, special teams again would go the way of the Admirals.  A snap over the Science Hill punter’s head would allow the Admirals to take charge at the Hilltopper 37-yard line.

The Admiral ground game again came up big, marching 37 yards to the end zone, ending with a 5-yard Kyle Carter TD run that put the Admirals ahead 14-0 with 4:47 left to play in the 1st quarter.

The Admiral defense would take the field on their next series and forced a chance at a 4th-down stop from midfield.  Toppers’ QB Jaylan Adams would take the snap from under center, with the Admirals’ defense stopping the initial surge, Adams backed up and found a crease on the outside and carried for a 51-yard Topper touchdown and cut the Admirals’ lead in half, 14-7.

On the Admirals’ next series, the offense would again march into the Toppers’ red zone covering 76 yards in eight plays.  An apparent Isaiah Gibbs TD run was nullified by a penalty and the Admirals were forced into a 4th and goal from the 24-yard line.  Jake Evans’ pass would fall incomplete in the back of the end zone.

Science Hill moved the ball across midfield but were forced to punt the ball away.  The QB Adams would take the snap on 4th-and-7 and attempt a quick kick that sailed off the side of his foot.  The play resulted in a 5-yard net punt and gave the Admirals the ball at their own 34-yard line.

Farragut would again march down the field thanks to their ground game with Gibbs and Carter ripping off yardage in big chunks.  Isaiah would find the end zone again, and this time the score would remain on the board.  The Admirals were up 21-7 with just over 2 minutes remaining before halftime.

Science Hill would capitalize on a big kickoff return into Farragut territory on their next possession.  The Toppers’ offense marched 38 yards in 7 plays to cut the lead again after a short TD run.  The extra point attempt was no good, and the Admirals found themselves with a 21-13 lead at halftime.

Farragut received the opening kickoff, but failed to convert on 3rd-down and punted away to the Hilltoppers.  Science Hill found success on their opening drive of the second half.  Adams’ found a receiver deep in Admirals’ territory on 3rd-down and long.  Admiral defenders Wyatt Lucas and Andrew Williams had good position on the play yet the talented Hilltopper was able to come down with the catch.  Science Hill would finish the drive and add a 2-point conversion to tie the game at 21-all with 6:41 to play in the 3rd quarter.

Farragut again punted the ball away on their next possession after picking up one first down.  Science Hill would march into field goal range before being stopped on third down.  The 42-yard attempt would sail wide right leaving the score tied at 21-21 nearing the close of the third quarter.

The Admirals would begin the possession the ball on their own 20-yard line.  Carter and Gibbs again would take command of the offense behind the strong play of the offensive line.

The offense rushed for 76 yards on the drive, punctuated by Kyle Carter’s touchdown from 4 yards out to put Farragut ahead 28-21 with 9:27 left to play.

Science Hill retuned the ensuing kickoff to the Farragut 45-yard line where their offense took over with just over 9 minutes to play in the game.

The Hilltoppers found the end zone again after a 7-play drive.  A penalty on the scoring play would back the Toppers’ up on the extra point attempt, and the 35-yard try would again sail wide right leaving the score at 28-27 in favor of Farragut with 7:44 to play in the game.

Again, the powerful Farragut offense took over at their own 20-yard line, looking to put the game away with a long touchdown drive.  The Admiral offense did just that, embarking on a 13-play 80-yard touchdown drive that took 7:34 off the clock.

The drive was capped off by Kyle Carter, who found the end zone for the third time on a 1-yard run that saw LB Drew Butler and RB Isaiah Gibbs clear the way for Carter’s score.  The Admirals would hold on to the to beat the Hilltoppers 35-27, in an important region 1-6A contest. The Farragut offense answered the call from last week’s disappointing performance, gaining 354 yards and 23 first downs, with 272 yards gained on the ground.

The Admirals travel to Kingsport next Friday to take on Dobyns-Bennett in another important region game.

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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.

OFFICIAL GAME STATS

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Farragut won its’ 17th consecutive game on Friday night, breaking the school record for longest win streak set by coach Ken Sparks’ Admirals from 1977-1978.  Farragut tied that mark last week, riding a streak that spans into last season.

The Admirals came out with guns blazing, as Gavin Wilkinson connected with Jacob Warren for 46 yards and a touchdown on the third play from scrimmage.

The Admirals found themselves leading 6-0 with less than 40 seconds off the clock in the opening quarter. When the Admiral defense took the field, senior linebacker Drew Butler made a little history of his own.  On the third play of the series, Butler recorded his first tackle of the game, his 344th career tackle, and surpassed former Admiral Nick Reveiz as the all-time leader for career tackles in Farragut history.

The defense would go on to force a punt three plays later, and give the ball back to the Farragut offense.  Three big drops would plague the offense and the Admirals were forced to punt after picking up one first down.  The Admiral defense remained stout, forcing a three and out on the Patriots’ ensuing possession. The Patriots and Admirals then traded punts for almost the remainder of the first half.

The Admirals found a spark on offense late in the 2nd quarter, when a 57-yard run by Isaiah Gibbs got the Admirals inside the red zone. Gibbs would score three plays later on a 3-yard carry, which extended the Admiral lead to 12-0 with at halftime.

Jefferson County began the second half receiving the second half kickoff, and the Admiral defense came up big again.  After a couple of first downs by the Patriots’ run game, the interior of the defensive line would force a turnover on downs after a stop on 4th-and-1 near midfield.

The Admirals would not capitalize initially, as a Wilkinson pass would be intercepted on the first play of the series.  Neyland Harmon and Anthony Lawson would combine for a 10-yard sack on first down that would lead to another Jefferson County 3-and-out.

The Admirals’ offense embarked on a 10-play, 53-yard drive, that was capped off by a 7-yard Wilkinson to Braden Collins touchdown pass.  Isaiah Gibbs’ conversion run would bump the Admirals’ lead to 20-0 with 3:03 left in the 3rd quarter.

After another 3-and-out by the Admiral defense, Farragut setup shop at their own 27-yard line.

The Admirals’ would drive into Patriots’ territory with strong runs from Gibbs and Josh Moses, along with timely passing.  On the first play of the 4th quarter, Gibbs would cap off the drive scoring from 8 yards out.  With 7 seconds off the clock in the 4th, the Admirals lead the Patriots, 26-0.

 

After another 4th down stop,  the Admirals took over at their own 36-yard line.  QB Jake Evans would keep the ball on first down and sprint 64 yards for the Admiral touchdown.  Dalton Halliburton’s try was good and Farragut had extended the lead to 33-0 with 9:27 left in the game.  The Admirals were looking for their second shutout in as many weeks, but a blocked punt would give the Patriots the ball at the Admirals’ 5-yard line.  The Patriots went on to score three plays later on a 5-yard run to close out the scoring.  When the final horn sounded, the Admirals had beaten the Patriots 33-6 and improved their record to 5-0 overall, 2-0 in Region 1-6A.

With the 17th straight win, the Admirals broke a 40-year old school record for the longest win streak, set during the 1977-78 seasons when Ken Sparks roamed the Farragut sideline.

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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.

OFFICIAL GAME STATS

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