October 30, 2024 by Alan Sloan -Farragut Press
Defense set the first-half tone for a Farragut team that turned a Pink-Out, Homecoming Night into a playoff guarantee night in FHS’s Eddie Courtney Stadium/on Bill Clabo Field Friday night, Oct. 25.
Senior defensive back Kent Carbaugh’s recovery of a fumble, after a failed Hardin Valley Academy fake punt, gave Farragut a short field and a quick touchdown against the Hawks (1-8, 0-4). The Ads “wildcat” quarterback, junior Noah Haag, scored from 5 yards.
Up 10-0 late in the first half, Connor Parris’ nice grab of an interception allowed the FHS junior linebacker to ramble 39 yards for a 17-0 Admirals lead that would hold up. Despite a somewhat awakened Hardin Valley offense after halftime, Farragut locked up a Division I-6A playoff berth — while winning its fourth straight game after an 0-5 start — 34-21.
“A tough-minded group, coming from where we started the year to where we are now,” Admirals skipper Geoff Courtney said.
After the Hawks used a muffed punt to break the scoreboard early in the third quarter, needing just eight yards but having to get a fourth-down, 1-yard TD run from Kaden Cutcher for the first HVA points. It was 17-7.
But sophomore kick returner/receiver Ethan Farhat brought back the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to midfield, then hauled in a 48-yard touchdown pass (six catches, 111 yards) from sophomore quarterback Corbin Hobson (21 of 29 passing for 216 yards).
The Hawks would answer again, cutting the margin to 24-14. “I feel like our team showed some resiliency,” HVA head coach Tyler Wynn said.
Back came the Admirals, as senior running back Randon Miller raced 38 yards for a touchdown — his third of 2024 despite limited carries. It was 31-14.
In addition to a pair of field goals, junior kicker Ryan McCue remained perfect both in extra points and field goal attempts for the season.
Back came HVA, driving 60 yards and scoring on sophomore quarterback Dylan Umansky’s 1-yard sneak midway into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks’ last-ditch effort to rally was crushed by an Landon Collins’ interception inside the HVA 25 in the game’s final three minutes. McCue’s 36-yard field goal with less that one minute to play closed the scoring. He also nailed a 22-yarder in the first half.
After hosting state power and 2-6A region foe Maryville Thursday, Oct. 31, the Admirals — likely the No. 4 playoff seed from 2-6A — will travel to the winner of Friday’s Kingport Dobyns-Bennett (7-2) at Johnson City Science Hill (8-1) 1-6A region title game.
A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Check out CRFOTO.com weekly for a full photo gallery from Friday’s game. See a photo you like? They are also available for purchase directly from his website. Click here for this week’s photos.
