Halls, Fulton and Central prevail on opening night
By Steve Williams
A message came in from Tracy Miller-Davis of the Knox County Schools’ athletics office last Wednesday night that the KOC High School Kick-Off Classic had to be moved from Halls to Central for Thursday night’s games.
Miller-Davis wasn’t sure what had caused the change. She only knew a lot of people had to be contacted in a short period of time.
It all worked out. There were not too many people that didn’t get the message.
The three 12-minute quarters of action were played at Dan Y. Boring Stadium and Joel Helton Field.
On the way out, Marion Quinn of the KCS Athletics Department said there was a “maintenance problem in the field” at Halls.
There was nothing wrong with Halls’ football team Thursday night as Coach Brent Hughes’ big and talented Red Devils crushed Carter 21-0 in their quarter of play. It was a good tune-up for this Thursday’s season opening match-up with Oak Ridge at Blankenship Field.
Early in the contest, Halls’ Travis Brasfield blew up the Carter quarterback, forcing a fumble at the Hornets’ 18-yard line that led to the Red Devils’ first touchdown.
Carter moved (punted) the ball on its next possession and Halls got it back at midfield. Talented wide receiver Brody Rogers snagged a long pass for a first down at the Hornets’ 24. Ezra Hastings punched it in from the 4 and Parker Crittenden kicked his second PAT to boost the lead to 14-0 midway into the quarter.
With reserves in the game, Halls tacked on its third TD with 58 seconds left.
The first quarter matched Fulton and Karns. The Falcons dominated the time of possession as the Beavers lost a fumble on their first possession. Mason Lawrence recovered the ball at the Karns 41.
Fulton quarterback Rejuan Womble had runs of 19 and 7 yards to get his team into scoring range. John Whittington plowed over from the 2 with 2:11 on the clock to put the Falcons ahead 6-0 as the PAT kick failed.
Finally getting the ball again, Karns made a last-gasp charge. Hudson Bridges completed two passes, including a 15-yarder that put the ball on the Fulton 38 with 36 seconds left. The Beavers moved the ball to the 25 and called a timeout with seven seconds on the clock. Bridges overthrew Brody Jones on the game’s final play.
Coach Justin Long said the win meant a lot. “I think our guys were excited to be here and I think it meant a lot to them to get out here in front of a big crowd and get a lot of reps. I’m just happy they enjoyed themselves.”
Central made a good showing in its 14-0 victory over Gibbs. The Bobcats stopped the Eagles’ first possession and then quarterback Kaden Long went to work, running the ball and throwing passes to JJ Sackie and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Starnes.
Gibbs struck back, but freshman Braxton Swift’s 59-yard touchdown stroll down the sideline was called back for a holding penalty five yards passed the line of scrimmage.
Central’s Lincoln Elmore, a senior QB, tacked on a 4-yard TD run and kicker Owen McGaha split the uprights with 11 seconds to go.
JAMBOREE SCORES
Thursday
At Carson-Newman
Catholic 21, Clinton 14
CAK 14, Campbell Co. 0
Friday
At Farragut High
Bearden 7, South-Doyle 0
GCA 7, Austin-East 0
Farragut 7, West 7
Powell 14, Hardin Valley 7
