Welcomed Surprises!
Bassett and others give their teams ‘a much-needed boost’
By Steve Williams
With high school football nearing the midway point of the regular season, head coaches were asked last week if they had players on offense, defense or special teams who had become welcomed surprises to their team this year. Nine coaches felt they did and pointed them out.
FARRAGUT: “Bryson Bassett (6-0, 255-pound RT/RG) has been a much-needed boost to our offensive line this season,” said Coach Geoff Courtney. “He was injured for much of 2024 and played sparingly throughout. He has worked extremely hard and has started every game at guard or tackle. He is currently playing right tackle and grading out 80 to 87 percent every game and has five pancake blocks already this season.”
WEST: “Ryheem Lee is a sophomore running back that has worked really hard this off season and developed into a leader on and off the field,” said Coach Barron Chandler. “In three games against some really good competition, he has 52 carries for 259 yards and one touchdown. I expect him to continue to get better and have an even greater impact on our season going forward.”
KARNS: Sophomore running back Cameron George already has 853 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, reported Coach Lee Warren, and was recently named the 5Star Preps Player of the Week for his Week 4 performance in a 24-21 win at Clinton. In that game, George carried the ball 32 times for 236 yards and scored the winning TD on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter.
GRACE CHRISTIAN: Coach Justin Price commended the play of Braden Walker, Cooper Brayman and Campbell Johnson.
“Walker kicked the game winning field goal against Carter and has put many kickoffs in the end zone. Brayman came in at quarterback after the starter was injured and has managed the position well so far. Johnson is starting safety for the first time and has done well getting lined up and improving through the season.
“These are (welcomed) surprises for us,” added Price.
CAK: Isaac Kannah plays on offense, defense and special teams. “Isaac is a freshman and has had to step into a starting job as an outside linebacker,” said Coach Chad Speck. “He also gets carries as a backup running back and for the past two weeks he has earned our Special Teams’ Player of the Week Award.”
Speck added that Conrad Carlton is a freshman currently starting on our offensive line and “has done a great job.”
Rio Curry is a freshman on defense who has had to step into a starting role as a cornerback.
“All three of these players were not projected starters entering the season and have been asked to step in to fill holes created by injury. They are all three doing a fantastic job,” said Coach Speck.
GIBBS: “Camden Beeler is a senior cornerback for us,” said Coach Brad Turner. “He worked really hard in the offseason to get faster and stronger. He comes to practice every day with a great attitude and work ethic. I’m very proud of him and his commitment to the Gibbs football program.
Jayce Morris is a sophomore OL/DL for the Eagles. “Jayce has also worked really hard to get his body ready to play varsity football,” said Turner. “He brings a lot of energy to our team and loves to have a good time. He has a bright future and is already a really good football player.”
SEYMOUR: Josh Gilbert is a senior RB who has 45 carries for 349 yards and three touchdowns and is averaging 116 yards per game. “Josh has stepped up for us and made some big time plays,” said Coach Caleb Olive.
Defensively, Duke Delozier, junior LB, has 28 tackles, two TFL and one sack. “Duke has been a solid piece for our defense,” said Olive. “He always competes at the highest level no matter what. He gives his all for Seymour.”
Junior kicker Jackson Kendall has made three field goals, including a 43-yarder against Greeneville. “He also has done a great job adjusting his kickoffs to the multiple landing spots we need him to hit,” said Coach Olive.
WEBB: Cullen Heck, sophomore WR/DB, has eight receptions for 94 yards and a TD and 27 tackles on defense. “He continues to improve each week,” said Coach Don Mahoney.
Jackson Walters, a sophomore TE/DE, “is being used for blocking on offense and getting better each week,” noted Mahoney, and freshman OL/DL Gabriel Gonzalez is “getting better each week and providing more snaps on the offensive side of the ball.”
CONCORD CHRISTIAN: Reece Franklin, a junior, has 30 tackles and three sacks this season “and has shown great improvement from last year,” said Coach Steve Matthews.
Sophomore Lyric Jackson has 20 tackles and three sacks. “He plays with tremendous effort and has only played football for three years, but has a bright future,” added Matthews.
Freshman Dasani Moulden has 500 all-purpose yards and two interceptions. Eli Wolfe is a starting offensive lineman as an eighth grader and improving drastically, said Matthews.
