After an offseason filled with uncertainty and angst, the Admiral faithful descended upon Bill Clabo Field with masks donned, temperatures checked, and socially distanced as the Admirals played host to the Bears of Bradley Central on Friday night to open the 2020 campaign. This year marks the fourth straight year the Admirals and Bears face each other in the season opener. The two teams also faced each other in the first round of the TSSAA playoffs last season, where Farragut won 56-21.
Bradley won the toss and chose to defer, and the Admirals started their first drive of the season on offense. However, Farragut’s offense wasn’t able to get going and a three and out ensued. But after just two plays on defense, the craziness of 2020 would continue as three separate lightning delays caused an almost hour and a half pause in action with 9:19 left in the 1st. At approximately 9:15pm play resumed, and the Admiral defense was able to force a punt after two penalties led the Bears to a 4th and 29.
Eli Purcell carries the ball against Bradley Central on 8/21. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com
The Admiral offense took to the field again and a 69 yard Eli Purcell run setup a 7-yard Dion Williams touchdown run to put the Admirals up 7-0 with 6:44 left in the 1st. A 25-yard return on the ensuing kickoff setup the Bears just across the 50 at the 48. Bradley would waste no time, scoring in just three plays on a 33-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 with 5:31 left in the 1st. Farragut would get a drive going and march down to the Bradley 24, but a missed field goal was the end result. The Bears took over at their own 20 and another three and out was in store, as a holding penalty on 2nd down gave them a 4th and 15 to punt.
Dawson Moore carries the ball against Bradley Central on 8/21. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com
The Admirals took over at their own 39-yard line to begin the 2nd quarter and a 37-yard Dawson Moore to Matt White pass setup a 2-yard Eli Purcell run to give the lead back to Farragut at 14-7 with 11:17 left in the 2nd. Bradley would punt after being unable to convert on 3rd and 5. The Admirals’ next drive was ended after a failed 3rd and 3 conversion, but a Brady Hodges punt would be downed at the Bradley 2-yard line to flip the field. The Bears however were not phased, and two long runs of 35 and 34 yards were the catalyst to a drive that ended with a 5-yard Bear touchdown run and tied the game at 14 with 3:31 left before halftime. The Admirals kicked it in high gear to try and score before half and were able to quickly drive to the Bradley 13, but the next two plays resulted in 13 yards of loss and a 4th and 23 that the Admirals were unable to convert on. The Bears would take a knee and take it to the half with the score tied at 14.
After an abbreviated halftime due to the earlier lightning delays, Bradley was poised to start the 2nd half at their own 33, looking for their first lead of the game.
Trey Nesbitt forces a fumble against Bradley Central on 8/21. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com
The Admiral defense had other plans, as Trey Nesbitt forced and recovered a fumble on the first play of the drive giving the Admiral offense the ball at the Bradley 21. The Admirals were able to drive inside the 5-yard line, but had to settle for a 21-yard Simeon Sharp field goal, which gave them a 17-14 lead with 7:52 left in the 3rd. The Bears started their next drive at their own 36 and would embark on an 8-play drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run. The Bears had their first lead of the night at 21-17 with 4:29 left in the 3rd.
After three alternating punts, the Bears would take over at their own 13. On the second play of their drive, pressure from the Admiral defensive line would force the Bradley QB to intentionally ground the ball from the end zone, which resulted in a safety, and narrowed the Bradley lead to 21-19 with 11:11 left to play in the game. The Admirals fumbled the ensuing kick and gave the ball right back to the Bears at their own 44. Bradley would drive down to the Farragut 34, but the Admiral defense held strong forcing a Bear punt.
Mason Collins catches the ball against Bradley Central on 8/21. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com
The Farragut offense took over at their own 9 with 8:31 left looking to retake the lead and win the game. Junior Quarterback Dawson Moore, making his first start as an Admiral, completed 3 of 4 passes, all of which were the catalyst for Dion Williams’ 7-yard touchdown run that gave the Admirals back the lead at 25-21 with 4:51 left to play.
Dylan Cosey sacks the quarterback against Bradley Central on 8/21. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com
Bradley started their final drive from their own 20, when a Dylan Cosey sack on third down made it 4th and 6 from their own 12, and the Bears elected to punt. The Admiral offense would drive the ball down to the Bradley 1 before getting into victory formation and running the clock out.
Final scoreboard against Bradley Central on 8/21. PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz/Ashley Wathen, CRFOTO.com
All the uncertainty around the season just a few weeks prior to Friday and an almost 90 minute lightning delay wouldn’t hamper the Admirals from beginning the season 1-0. Farragut will travel next week to Knox-West for a Saturday night showdown against the Rebels with kickoff set for 7:00pm. The Rebels’ week 1 opponent, Bearden, suspended operations and were not able to play, making the week 2 matchup the season opener for Knox-West.
A special thanks to Carlos Reveiz and Ashley Wathen of CRFOTO for the action shots from the game. Be sure to checkout 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.
