They gave it their all
Admirals season comes to an end
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On the left, senior, 16, Noah Haag, being consoled by his dad. On the right, 29, Brenton Haag, being consoled by his mother. - Photos by Carlos Reveiz, carlos@crfoto.com
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FHS, 12, Zain Kureshi-Smith, breaks up DB’s long pass attempt late in the game, rain pouring! - Photos by Carlos Reveiz, carlos@crfoto.com
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FHS, 3, Corbin Hobson. - Photos by Carlos Reveiz, carlos@crfoto.com
When Farragut High School’s football team traveled to Kingsport last Friday night to take on Dobyns Bennett High School in the first round of the TSSAA 6A State Playoffs, it was easy to think the Admirals had little chance.
Not only was the game on the road, but DB – top seed in Region 1 – had a record of 9-1. FHS – fourth seed in Region 2 – managed only three wins in the regular season.
Someone must have forgotten to tell the Admirals at what a disadvantage they were. They did lose the game, 27-21, but forced the Indians to go into overtime in order to win. Farragut – down 14 in the second half and seemingly out of it – stormed back to tie the game in regulation.
Admirals’ coach Geoff Courtney was rightly proud of the way his boys wouldn’t quit.
“I’m extremely proud of the fight our team displayed on Friday night,” Courtney said. “We battled on every play, overcame adversity throughout the game and pushed the Region 1 champions into overtime.”
FHS took a 7-0 lead on the game’s opening drive when quarterback Corbin Hobson scored on a fourth-down, 1-yard run with 6:30 left in the first.
The Indians tied it at 7 with 8:02 left in the half when quarterback Levi Chappell ran it in from the eight. Another score, late in the half, gave DB a 14-7 halftime lead.
When Chappell hit Tyree Thomas with a 50-yard touchdown bomb early in the third, FHS trailed 21-7 and things looked bleak. The momentum was about to turn.
Late in the third, the Admirals stuffed a fourth-down attempt by DB and took over on their own 49. On the eighth play, Logan Wright scored from the four on the first play of the fourth quarter to bring FHS to within seven.
“Our defense played with great effort and grit, forcing two huge turnovers and getting off the field twice on fourth down,” Courtney said.
After forcing a punt, Farragut tied the game at 21 when Wright scored from the 13. For the game, Wright had 76 yards on 12 carries, and two scores.
“In the second half, our offensive line and running back Logan Wright gave us a real spark,” Courtney said.
The Admirals (3-8) had first possession in overtime, but fumbled the ball away. After a lightning delay, Chappell scored on a keeper to win it for the Indians.
Mayan Apalategui had 12 tackles for FHS while Noah Haag had 10. Max Garfield had four receptions for 67 yards.
“Despite being banged up —as most teams are this time of year — several guys stepped up and competed with everything they had,” Courtney said.
He reflected on the season: “I couldn’t be prouder of how our team battled throughout the season. We faced adversity head-on, kept fighting, and represented Farragut with pride. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t pull this one out, especially as the team truly started to believe in themselves down the stretch.”
