By Steve Williams
Gibbs High Coach Brad Turner said no pep talk was needed before his Eagles played Anderson County last Thursday night.
And he was right.
Gibbs ran off and left the Mavericks with a 41-29 loss and a long ride home.
“There wasn’t much of a pep talk from me,” said Turner. “Our guys, man, they had a good week of practice and they got ready. You don’t have to give a big pep talk on a game like this. They showed up ready to play and were focused and ready to go. So I just told them I’m looking forward to watching them play and go out and have fun.”
Gibbs handed AC its first Region 2-4A loss. The Mavs are now 3-1 and 4-3 overall.
The victory vaulted Gibbs into second place in the region at 3-1 and 6-1 overall.
The Eagles’ Reid Daniel, a junior WR/LB, had a 68-yard TD catch and a 47-yard interception return early in the game. Quarterback Keith Jones Jr. scored near the end of the first half to give Gibbs a 27-10 lead. He also completed 10 of 14 passes for 152 yards.
Senior RB Tucker Ownby carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards and two TDs, increasing the lead to 34-10. Sophomore slotback Braxton Swift scored on a 51-yard reverse to make it 41-16 late in the third quarter.
Gibbs’ defense played well up front throughout the game. Senior OL/DL Seth Seiber recovered a second fumble early in the second half.
Anderson County sophomore quarterback JD Gillum left the game in the first half with an injury.
What do prep coaches do during fall break?
Thirteen or more local high school football coaches will be off during the Fall Break.
Do they continue: A – Practicing, B – Vacationing, or C – a little of both?
We asked and heard back from seven.
Four said “a little of both.” Three said they would be “vacationing.” None said they would be “practicing” as usual.
Here are their comments:
Todd Helton, Carter: “I gave the kids the week off.”
Chad Speck, CAK: “We will practice Mon-Wed.”
Brad Taylor, Bearden: “A little both. Kinsey and I are going to spend a couple of days in Townsend at the beginning of the week. Then we will practice at the end of the week on Thursday and Friday mornings.”
Zack Gibson, South-Doyle: “Vacationing. I will be enjoying the break with my family and spending time traveling around East Tennessee.”
Tyler Wynn, Hardin Valley: “Our guys will be off until Thursday. I’ll be spending a few days relaxing and prepping for our return from Fall Break.”
George Quarles, Webb: “A little of both.”
Matt Lowe, Powell: “B – Vacationing.”
Brad Turner, Gibbs: “Vacationing in Sarasota, Fla.”
Preps of the Past
Oct. 4, 1991
Seymour’s Brian Donaldson recovered a Goodpasture fumble in the second overtime. Mark Mobley then nailed the game-winning 21-yard field goal in the Eagles’ 13-10 win that upped Coach Gary Householder’s season record to 4-1.
Coach Bill Wilson’s West Rebels rebounded from their first loss of the season to down South-Doyle 17-7. S-D’s James Parker actually gave the Cherokees the early lead, but West’s Rondrow Peebles ran 40 yards for a touchdown and quarterback Lennon Glover’s 10-yard TD pass to Xavier Smith capped the victory. Sam Dobbins led the Rebs’ defense with 18 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Headliners for Week 8
Sevier County at GCA
Austin-East at G-P
Seymour at Northview
Sonny Moore’s Computer Ratings
(Top 10 local teams through
September 28 games)
1-GCA 130.55
2-CAK 121.21
3-HVA 120.36
4-Powell 120.18
5-Central 119.85
6-Catholic 116.88
7-Halls 113.58
8-Gibbs 110.80
9-Seymour 104.13
10-Farragut 97.12
