August 27, 2025 by Ken Lay

Jefferson City – Despite seeing his team suffer a season-opening loss, Farragut High School coach Geoff Courtney was upbeat after viewing the film of the Admirals’ season opener.

“We brought the kids in today and we watched the film, and after seeing it and digesting it, we see some things that we can build on,” Courtney said Sunday after the Admirals dropped a 27-7 decision to Sevier County Saturday night at Carson-Newman University. “I thought we did some good things, but we just didn’t do enough of them to win the game against a very good football team.

“We had several guys who played pretty well, but we just didn’t play well enough to beat a team like Sevier County.”

Saturday night’s contest was the first annual FirstBank Classic, and the Smoky Bears are the defending Class 5A state champions, and they opened the season by notching their 16th consecutive victory.

Farragut managed to score one touchdown, and that came midway through the fourth quarter when Corbin Hobson connected with Max Garfield on a 19-yard touchdown pass.

But, the Admirals had their chances.

“We moved the ball well and we ran the ball well but we just couldn’t get the ball in the end zone, and we didn’t do well on third and fourth down,” Courtney said. “They were like eight or 9-for-11 on third dawn and we were 1-for-11 on third down.

“They were a physical team but I think we were more physical than they were at times.”

Hobson finished 15-for-29 through the air as he amassed 149 yards and threw one touchdown pass. Garfield had six receptions for 80 yards and one score. Nathan Jacobs was the Admirals’ leading rusher, totaling 40 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, Connor Parris recorded 15 tackles, including seven solo stops to lead the way for Farragut.

The Admirals struggled

in their opener and things won’t get any easier this week as they play another top Class 5A team.

Farragut will play its home opener Friday night as Powell makes a visit to Bill Clabo Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

The Panthers, who reached the second round of the playoffs last season before losing to the Smoky Bears, opened their 2025 campaign at home against Anderson County last week in a game that was suspended due to inclement weather and subsequently declared no contest.

Powell, which fell behind 18-0, was down 18-7 when the contest was halted. Quarterback Deuce Rodgers was injured against the Mavericks and his status for this week wasn’t known at press time.

But, Courtney knows coach Matt Lowe and the

Panthers will provide a steep challenge.

“They’re a good physical football team and Matt always wants to run,” Courtney said. “We always look forward to playing them.

“We always look forward to playing these types of games.”

A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Check out CRFOTO.com weekly 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.

As the 2025 high school football season approaches, the Farragut Admirals have completed an offseason filled with rigorous training, strategic adjustments, and cultivating veteran leaders and emerging talents. 

Coach Geoff Courtney’s 2nd season as head skipper for the Admirals started with winter workouts in December. Spring practice took up three weeks in late April and early May. The annual Blue/Grey game on May 8th was the first opportunity for the 2025 Admirals to show off. Spring practice culminated with a scrimmage at Halls on May 15th.

After a couple of weeks off for finals, the summer off-season program commenced. Between early morning workouts and 7v7 sessions with several other schools, the Admiral football players made one last push to develop themselves before fall camp began. As fall camp began in late July, the Admirals showed off their offseason gains in the weight room.

The 2025 Fall Camp for the Admirals included three scrimmages and the annual KOC Kickoff Jamboree. The first week of camp concluded with a trip to Greeneville to scrimmage a perennial championship contender in the Greene Devils. A second trip followed the next week, this time against Chattanooga powerhouse Boyd-Buchanan. The final week of fall camp was a busy one for the Admirals. In what has become an annual fall tradition, the Ads hosted Walker Valley in a four-quarter game simulation and followed the next night by taking on the West Rebels for one quarter in the KOC Kickoff Classic.

The Farragut Admirals are gearing up for the 2025 football season, and their schedule is packed with tough opponents and pivotal matchups that will test their resilience and depth. Here’s a preview of the key games and challenges the Admirals will face as they aim to make a deep playoff run.

2025 Schedule Preview

Aug 23 – vs Sevier County (at Carson-Newman, FirstBank Classic)

The Admirals open under the lights in Jefferson City at the FirstBank Classic. Sevier County brings a tough, disciplined squad that loves to grind it out, making this a physical first test. Fresh off a state title in 2024, the Smoky Bears will prove to be a tough matchup out of the gate. Farragut will look to start fast behind QB Corbin Hobson, who aims to set the tone for the season.

Aug 29 – vs Powell

Powell has been one of East Tennessee’s most consistent programs, with explosive athletes on both sides of the ball. This early-season non-region clash will measure Farragut’s ability to keep up with elite playmakers. A strong showing at home could boost confidence heading into September.

Sept 4 – at Upperman

Traveling to Upperman is never easy, as the Bees thrive on a punishing ground attack and disciplined defense. Farragut’s front seven will be tested, especially with the heat of early September still lingering. Winning on the road here would signal the Admirals’ toughness and maturity.

Sept 12 – vs Bradley Central * (Region)

Bradley Central is a perennial contender and a key rival in Region 2-6A. Their athleticism at the skill positions will challenge Farragut’s secondary. If their offense can sustain drives, the Admirals have a chance to flip the momentum in this critical region game.

Sept 19 – at Maryville * (Region)

A trip to Maryville is one of the toughest assignments in Tennessee high school football. The Rebels’ tradition, depth, and discipline make them a measuring stick for every program. The Admirals will face a test in all three phases of football in this game.

Sept 26 – at Bearden * (Region, Rivalry Game)

The “Battle of West Knoxville” is always circled on the calendar, no matter the records. Bearden’s home crowd and physical style make this a heated rivalry matchup. Expect emotions to run high, with playoff positioning and community bragging rights on the line.

Oct 3 – vs Hardin Valley * (Region)

Hardin Valley has been improving steadily, making this a trap game if Farragut looks past them. The Hawks typically play disciplined football and look to control tempo. A strong performance here would help stabilize Farragut’s region standing entering the second half of the season.

Oct 17 – at Cookeville

This non-region road trip comes at a crucial juncture in the schedule. Cookeville is known for being tough at home, often relying on size in the trenches. Farragut will need to bring focus and energy to win in this one..

Oct 23 – vs Oak Ridge * (Region)

Oak Ridge is a tradition-rich program with athletes capable of breaking big plays at any moment. Their speed on the perimeter will challenge Farragut’s defensive backs. This late-season home showdown could be a deciding factor in playoff seeding.

Oct 30 – at Cleveland * (Region)

Cleveland has developed into a dangerous program with balance on both sides of the ball. Playing them on the road to close the regular season is no easy task. Farragut may find that this game determines whether they host or travel in the first round of the playoffs.

Conclusion: A Season of High Stakes

The 2025 schedule is demanding, with a mix of strong region opponents, challenging road games, and key rivalry matchups. For Farragut, each game presents an opportunity to prove its mettle and build momentum heading into the playoffs. If the Admirals can navigate this schedule successfully, they will be well-prepared for the challenges of postseason play.

It has been a busy offseason for the 2025 Farragut Admiral Football Team. Players started the offseason working and training program in December and have continued until spring practice.

This offseason has seen several changes, one of which is the addition of Oak Ridge, an annual rival of the Admirals, to 6A-Region 2. Another noticeable change is the 2025 schedule, which doesn’t include Knox-West for the first time since 2007 due to TSSAA scheduling changes. A more noticeable change will be the change of the official apparel and jersey provider for the Admirals. Over the offseason, the decision was made to switch from Under Armour, who the Admirals had been with since 2015, to Nike for uniforms and player apparel.

Second-year head coach Geoff Courtney is now settled into this new role and has been looking forward to spring practice since the last snap of the 2024 season.

Spring practice provides the coaching staff with a first look at the 2025 squad and allows them to evaluate players’ progress from last season. It also allows the staff to try players in new positions to see how they perform. All in all, spring practice is the culmination of the winter and spring offseason program and allows the team to break from the weight room and put pads on.

Practice began on April 28th with six practices scheduled before the annual Blue-Grey game on May 8th at 6 p.m. at Eddie Courtney Stadium. This will be your first chance to catch the 2025 Admiral Football Team on the field, so make plans to attend! More 2025 Blue vs. Grey Game details can be found below:

Two more practices will follow the Blue-Grey game before spring practice finishes with a scrimmage against the Halls Red Devils at 6 p.m. on May 15th at Eddie Courney Stadium. This will be the first opportunity to see the 2025 squad match up with an opposing team, so you won’t want to miss the action.

Spring practice marks the end of the winter and spring offseason programs and provides the bridge to the summer and preseason programs. As always, stay tuned to our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts for the latest news and information regarding Farragut Football.

#GoAds #LND https://t.co/JXDvwjIygw

— Farragut Football (@FarragutFB) May 2, 2025

November 13, 2024 by Alan Sloan – Farragut Press

KINGSPORT — For one half, Farragut was the better team at Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, outplaying the No. 1 seed from Region 1-6A while knowing its 10-7 edge at the break of this first-round TSSAA football playoff game could have been bigger without a couple of huge mistakes.

But make no mistake about the second half: the Indians became quite effective using their power running game — while mixing in key play-action pass completions — and a smothering pass rush to dominate the Admirals, building a 25-point lead before winning 42-24 Friday night, Nov. 8.

“They were able to start running the football, then they made some things happen in the passing game,” Ads skipper Geoff Courtney said.

But looking back, “Our 14 seniors have led all year,” the coach said. “I’m so proud of this group and what they’ve helped me to accomplish as a first-year coach.”

Farragut’s season ends with a 4-7 record as the No. 4 seed from Region 2-6A. The Indians improved to 9-2 while preparing to host the explosive Bearden Bulldogs (8-3), fresh off a 49-14 thrashing of 1-6A No. 3 seed Jefferson County, where the Dawgs scored 42 of those points in the first half. (See story on page 2B).

Corbin Hobson, Ads sophomore quarterback, hit senior receiver Robbie Jacobs in stride for a 71-yard touchdown pass midway into the second quarter. Junior kicker Ryan McCue nailed a 33-yard field goal with 18 seconds left in the half, set up by senior receiver Landon Collins’ leaping catch of 31 yards over a KDB defender. Hobson scrambled for 11 yards on the field goal drive, while senior Kent Carbaugh added a 10-yard “wildcat” run.

Collins also came down with a one-handed interception of a deep Indians toss late in the first quarter.

Henry Dee, senior linebacker, recovered a fumble for the Ads that killed a Dobyns-Bennett drive reaching the FHS 16 in the opening quarter. About his fellow seniors, “This is a small group … but it’s a close group of guys,” Dee said. “I’m glad I got to play with them these four years and I’m really grateful for them.”

Charlie Noble, Ads junior running back, had an 11-yard catch and two runs of 11 yards and one for 10 — all in the first quarter.

Junior Zain Kureshi-Smith hauled in a 71-yard TD strike from Hobson midway into the fourth quarter. Senior Luke Finnegan ran for the final FHS score from 45 yards out late in the game.

A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Check out CRFOTO.com weekly 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.