Clutch defense, big TD tosses highlight locals in Jamboree

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  • Griffen Oros (13), Bearden defensive back, intercepts a Powell pass to kill a long drive as teammates Ethan Ford (16) and Seth Arana (1) are around the play. - Photos by Jeremy Wiggs/Jeremy Wiggs Photography

  • Farragut defenders gang tackle a Knoxville Central running back. - Photos by Jeremy Wiggs/Jeremy Wiggs Photography

  • Ethan Blaylock of Hardin Valley Academy hauls in a pass against Carter. - Photos by Jeremy Wiggs/Jeremy Wiggs Photography

  • Leo Bonifacio (white jersey), Webb Spartans senior defensive end, blows up a Karns run. - Photos by Jeremy Wiggs/Jeremy Wiggs Photography

With the Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic Kick-Off Classic “Jamboree” returning to Neyland Stadium Friday, Aug. 13, Farragut, Hardin Valley Academy, Bearden and Webb School of Knoxville were among the 16 teams, each playing a 12-minute quarter, in a dress rehearsal for the regular season, which begins tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 21, and extends to Saturday, Aug. 22.

For the Bulldogs during Third Quarter action versus Powell, two interceptions — one setting up a 4-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback John Harrison to Carson Hammond, the other killing a Panthers red-zone drive — plus a goal-line stand to end the 12-minute quarter allowed Bearden to salvage a 7-7 deadlock.

While Preston LaBanca’s interception and 28-yard return set up the BHS score, defensive back Griffen Oros picked off the pass killing the red-zone drive.

Powell used a 32-yard reception to land on the Bulldogs 1 in the final 30 seconds, but after Bearden’s interior defenders held PHS to no gain on first down, junior lineman Eric Lyttle destroyed a Powell running back for a minus-2-yard hit as time ran out.

Despite an 14-7 loss to a Carter team finding much success with its passing game, the HVA Hawks’ first string offense struck big on its third play of the Sixth Quarter.

Junior quarterback Caleb Smith found senior receiver Zach Passafume down the left sideline, and the senior took it 68 yards for a touchdown.

Webb School of Knoxville wasted no time getting a touchdown recorded on the Neyland Stadium scoreboards against Karns during the Seventh Quarter. A Charlie Robinson 26-yard TD pass to Ford Wagner held up for a 7-6 Spartans win.

Knoxville Central proved to be a handful for Farragut in the Fourth Quarter, blanking the Admirals 14-0.

The Ads look for a better showing in Middle Tennessee during its season opener Friday. (See schedule details on FHS and the other “How the West Was Won” teams in our season preview)