November 1, 2023, by Bill Howard, Correspondent, Farragut Press
MARYVILLE — When Farragut High School’s football team concluded its regular season Friday night, Oct. 27, it had won half the games it won in last year’s regular season: four versus eight.
And last year at this point, the Admirals were riding high headed into the Class 6A playoffs. This year? They’ll be spectators throughout.
But oh how sweet Friday night was.
With 2.4 seconds left in the game, sophomore kicker Ryan McCue connected on a 35-yard field goal to give FHS a 13-10 win over regional rival Maryville at Shields Stadium.
It was the first time the Admirals had beaten the Red Rebels in 32 years, a span that included 17 wins by MHS.
McCue was asked if he was nervous before the final kick.
“Not so much compared to what I thought I’d be,” he said. “I think that was the good end of the season.”
Farragut head coach Eddie Courtney was asked if the win vindicated his team’s subpar season. “It does (for the players),” he said. “We needed something. These kids came every day to practice, trying to get better and stay together. I’m so proud of them.”
The Admirals’ winning drive started on their 20-yard line with 6:31 left in regulation and the score tied at 10. McCue’s kick came on the 14th play of the drive.
Nine of those plays were runs by senior running back Wyatt Drummy, who gained 46 yards on the drive, including a fourth-down conversion.
For the game, Drummy ground out 166 hard-fought yards on 38 carries. He finished the season with 1,010 yards, which he displayed with a 1,000-yard emblem he was given after the game.
“I’ll remember this for the rest of my life,” Drummy said. “The defense was great; our offense just ran it down there. I couldn’t have done it without (the offensive line).”
Maryville (6-4 overall, 2-3 in Region 2-5A) jumped to a quick 7-0 lead on its first drive when Price Davis scored on a 7-yard run.
FHS cut it to 7-3 with 47 seconds left in the half when McCue connected from 24 yards. The 15-play drive covered 60 yards and ran almost seven minutes off the clock.
Twice on the drive Farragut converted on fourth down. For the game, the Admirals went for it on fourth five times — and converted all five.
“We came to win,” Courtney said, “and we had confidence we were gonna do that.”
Finishing 2-3 in 2-5A, Farragut took a 10-7 lead with 6:29 left in the third when quarterback Cam Duncan hit Robbie Jacobs for a 22-yard touchdown. The drive needed six plays and covered 58 yards.
Maryville then tied it at 10 on a 31-yard field goal by Hudson Jamerson with 6:39 to go.
Senior linebacker Jack Alley finished No. 2 in FHS history in tackles, while senior receiver Landis Davila ended No. 3 all time in receiving yards.
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.
