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Sports

FMS girls earn ‘Turkey,’ win first game vs. Hardin Valley

November 15, 2018 by Ken Lay, Correspondent

Farragut Middle School’s Annie Priest dribbles away from several Hardin Valley defenders during this inaugural match-up, which took place in FMS’s Bobby J. Henry Gymnasium Thursday, Nov. 9.

Farragut Middle School’s girls basketball team has ended the last two seasons cutting down the nets as Knox County Middle School Basketball Conference Champions, and the Lady Admirals have won their first three games this season.

FMS kept its perfect record intact when it notched a 38-22 victory over new rival Hardin Valley Thursday evening, Nov. 8, in Bobby J. Henry Gymnasium.

The Lady Ads got off to a fast start thanks to eighth-grade forward Aubrey Stackhouse.

Aubrey, who played on Farragut’s last two teams that won the James A. Ivey Jr. Memorial Middle School Basketball Tournament, posted a double-double as she scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

“That was Aubrey’s second straight double-double. She’s a great player,” Farragut head coach Susan Davidson said. “She’s worked really hard and she’s a great kid.”

Hardin Valley has dropped three consecutive games since winning its first-ever game, which was at Holston, Monday, Oct. 29. .

Farragut boys make a sweep of historic HVMS games

November 15, 2018 by Ken Lay, Correspondent

Farragut Middle School’s Reese Keeney (21) holds up “The Battle of Turkey Creek” trophy — joined by teammates Hudson Kraemer (13) and Karaaz Johnson (10) — after his Admirals beat Hardin Valley Middle School, in the programs’ first-ever meeting, 38-17, at FMS Thursday evening, Nov. 8.

Farragut Middle School’s boys basketball team boasted a balanced scoring attack in its victory against new rival Hardin Valley Thursday, Nov. 8. No Admiral player scored in double figures but nine found their way into the scorebook.

Still, that wasn’t the biggest story of the day. That was Farragut’s defense.

The Admirals didn’t surrender a field goal to the Hawks in the first half en route to posting a 38-17 Knox County Middle School Basketball Conference victory in Bobby J. Henry Gymnasium.

“That was just amazing. That’s unbelievable for middle school basketball,” said FMS head coach Randy Swartzentruber.

While earning “The Battle of Turkey Creek” traveling “Golden Turkey” trophy, Farragut’s record improved to 2-1.

Hardin Valley fell to 0-4

The Admirals’ attack remained balanced throughout the contest.

Near perfect Ads offensive stretch leads to Maryville

November 15, 2018 by Alan Sloan

Jaden Gibbs, Farragut senior receiver, reaches for an eventual 26-yard touchdown pass from Ads junior quarterback Gavin Wilkinson against Ooltewah in second-round Class 6A playoff action at FHS’s Bill Clabo Field Friday night, Nov. 9. Farragut won 49-14.

Six Farragut possessions to begin the game produced six touchdowns — with no penalties.

The Admirals used its second-round Class 6A playoff game versus Ooltewah as a warm-up for its huge state quarterfinal trip to Maryville, versus the mighty Red Rebels, this Friday night, Nov. 16.

Junior quarterback Gavin Wilkinson led the way as No. 1-seed FHS (11-1) cruised to a 49-14 win against the No. 2-seeded Owls (9-3) Friday night, Nov. 9, at Bill Clabo Field. The junior completed 16-of-18 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns before sitting the final 12 minutes.

Kyle Carter, senior running back, rushed 13 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yarder to begin the game’s scoring.

“We were clicking on all cylinders together,” Carter said. “Give them credit, they have a great team. ... Our offensive line played great tonight, Gavin’s playing great football right now.

“We’re peaking at the right time.”

Edmonds came up with Turkey Creek phrase, trophy idea on a whim

November 15, 2018 by Alan Sloan

With Hardin Valley Middle School basketball having just started its program, the inaugural “Battle of Turkey Creek” came to life in Farragut Middle School’s Bobby J. Henry Gymnasium last week.

The inspiration for coining the phrase and finding a turkey likeness — about 15 inches tall and painted gold — as a traveling trophy awarded to both the boys and girls regular season winners each year came from FMS principal West Edmonds.

On a whim.

“I came up with it last night,” Edmonds said about his idea — which came to mind Wednesday evening, Nov. 7 — less than 24 hours before his teams hosted HVMS Thursday afternoon and evening, Nov. 8.

“I talked to one of their administrators. Melissa Glover and I have taught together and coached together. She liked the idea and she talked to their principal, Corey Smith, and he liked the idea,” Edmonds said. “Their coaches were on board with it, my coaches were on board with it.

“So we kind of made it happen today (Nov. 8) at school. We had someone buy that turkey, at 2:15 (p.m.) today at Hobby Lobby, and then we painted it gold,” he added. “Just kind of thinking that it would be cool, since this is the first time ever playing and we needed to do something special.”

As for why the phrase “Battle of Turkey Creek,” which ties in with the trophy, “Turkey Creek separates us,” Edmonds said.

Jancek, Jones key to Catholic second-round playoff win at Fulton

November 15, 2018 by Ken Lay, Correspondent

Taylor Shannon, Catholic junior receiver, tries to stiff-arm Falcons defensive back Kevin Johnson. The Irish won this second-round Class 5A playoff game 28-25.

KNOXVILLE — Throughout the 2018 season, Knoxville Catholic High School’s football team has battled more than its share of injuries. And when Adam Jones and Jack Jancek were injured, both thought their respective seasons were over.

But they weren’t.

Both Jones and Jancek made big plays to help the Irish outlast Fulton 28-25 Friday night, Nov. 9, at Bob Black Field, in a second-round Class 5A playoff game.

“When he got hurt in Week 2 and I got hurt in Week 3, we thought our seasons were over,” said Jones, a senior wide receiver and defensive back. “Fulton is a great team and they always challenge us and it feels great to come over here and win this game.

“Now, we have Oak Ridge next and that game will be at their place.”

Jancek, a junior quarterback who also plays in Catholic’s secondary, said the win was big for the Irish (8-3).

“This is just amazing,” said Jancek, who threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and had a key interception on defense. “They’ve got a really good team.