August 24, 2022, by Bill Howard, Correspondent(Farragut Press Link)
After struggling to stop Hendersonville Beech High School’s rushing attack for more than three quarters, Farragut High School’s defense stopped the Buccaneers on consecutive drives late in the game.
The Admirals held on for a dramatic 31-28 season-opening win at FHS’ Bill Clabo Field Friday, Aug. 19.
Trailing 31-28 with 4:49 left in the game, Beech had a fourth-and-2 on the Admirals’ 5. Bronco Hanks was stopped a half-yard short, and Farragut had possession.
But the Admirals were unable to sustain a drive and punted back to Beech, which took over on its own 38 with 1:24 left. A last-second desperation pass near midfield fell incomplete.
“We were able to make a play right here (on fourth down) and that helped us win the ballgame in the end,” Admirals head coach Eddie Courtney said. “We grew up tonight a lot. We just wanted to play our game. We have great respect for this team.”
“They’re a really good football team,” Buccaneers head coach Anthony Crabtree said. “We’re getting better. We just gotta get better all the way around.”
The Admirals jumped to a 14-0 lead after its first two possessions. On the second play of the game, workhorse senior running back Elijah Gibbs bolted 70 yards untouched through the left side for a 7-0 lead.
“I didn’t do much last year (in a loss at Beech) when we played them,” Gibbs said. “So I kinda had to get it back on them.”
Taking over after a punt, Farragut struck again. On second-and-6 from the FHS 49, senior quarterback Luke Johnson hit senior wide receiver Ashton Auker over the middle, and Auker took it 51 yards for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Beech made it 14-7 when Caden Thieman’s 7-yard run capped an 80-yard march on the ensuing drive.
On the Bucs’ next possession early in the second from the Beech 36, Johnson’s pass to Troy Lockhart was deflected into the hands of linebacker Tyler Nix. Nix galloped 72 yards untouched up the left side — and just like that, the game was tied.
Johnson threw another pick, this one in the end zone, on the next drive, but Beech couldn’t take advantage. A 46-yard field goal by Reese Keeney with 12 seconds left in the half gave the Admirals a 17-14 lead at intermission.
“Been reppin’ all week,” Keeney said. “Good snap, good hold. Didn’t have to worry.“
After Beech took a 21-17 third-quarter lead on 19-yard run by Thieman, the Admirals answered with a nine-play 70-yard scoring drive, culminating with Johnson’s 35-yard strike to Landis Davila.
The Bucs led once again, 28-24, on a 7-yard run by JP Courtney early in the fourth.
Once again Farragut responded immediately with a score that would hold to the end.
Johnson’s 63-yard completion to Davila set up Gibbs’ 7-yard run for his second touchdown with 9:57 left in the game.
For the game, Gibbs carried 24 times for 180 yards. Johnson was 12 for 22 passing for 211 yards and two touchdowns and two picks.
But Johnson said he wasn’t fazed by the two picks. “My team was still supporting me,” he said. “Just had to go out there in the second half and make sure we got the win.”
Aucker had five catches for 66 yards and a score. Davila caught four for 122 and a score.
Beech ran for 349 yards on 43 attempts.
“They take pride in running the football,” Courtney coach. “They run outside, then they come back with the inside power game.”
A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Be sure to check out CRFOTO.com every week 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.
