As the 2024 high school football season approaches, the Farragut Admirals have completed an offseason filled with rigorous training, strategic adjustments, and cultivating veteran leaders and emerging talents. The most significant development of Farragut’s offseason was strategic adjustments within the coaching staff.
After 28 seasons as head coach, Eddie Courtney decided to step down as head coach for the Admirals in March. After a comprehensive search, the Farragut High School administration named long-time assistant and offensive coordinator Geoff Courtney as the 15th head coach in Farragut Football history.
Geoff Courtney hit the ground running, quickly taking command of the Admirals’ ship and hiring several new coaches to the Farragut staff. Spring practice took up three weeks in late April and early May, culminating in the annual Blue vs. Gray game on May 14th.
After a couple of weeks off for finals, the summer off-season program commenced. Between early morning workouts and 7v7 sessions with several other schools, the Admiral football players made one last push to develop themselves before fall camp began. As fall camp began in late July, the Admirals showed off their offseason gains in the weight room.
The 2024 Fall Camp for the Admirals included three scrimmages and the annual KOC Kickoff Jamboree. The first week of camp ended with a home scrimmage against perennial playoff contender Sevier County. A second home scrimmage followed the next week against plateau powerhouse the Cookeville Cavaliers. The final week of fall camp was a busy one for the Admirals. They took on the Fulton Falcons for one quarter in the KOC Kickoff Classic and then ended with a weather-delayed, four-quarter game simulation at Walker Valley.
The Farragut Admirals are gearing up for the 2024 football season, and their schedule is packed with tough opponents and pivotal matchups that will test their resilience and depth. Here’s a preview of the key games and challenges the Admirals will face as they aim to make a deep playoff run.
2024 Schedule Preview
Week 1: August 23, 2024 – at Dobyns-Bennett
The Admirals kick off the season with a challenging away game against Dobyns-Bennett in Kingsport. Known for their strong football tradition, Dobyns-Bennett will provide a stern test right out of the gate. Farragut’s ability to execute on both sides of the ball will be critical in setting the tone for the season. Farragut won in thrilling fashion in 2023, connecting a TD pass with 13 seconds to play, winning 24-17. The two teams have split the last four meetings on the gridiron.
Week 2: August 30, 2024 – at Powell
Following their opener, the Admirals will travel to face Powell, a 2023 playoff quarterfinalist. The Panthers have played in the state championship game twice in the last three years, winning one. Powell has been a strong contender in recent years, making this a game where Farragut must be at its best to secure a win. Early-season road games like this one are crucial for building confidence and resilience. The 2023 matchup between the two schools saw Farragut win via a 32-yard TD pass with 14 seconds left that sealed the 28-21 victory.
Week 3: September 6, 2024 – vs. Knox West
The Admirals’ home opener is Week 3 against rival Knox West. The Admirals look for their first win against the Rebels since 2018. Knox West is looking to win its third straight state championship in 2024, setting up a key matchup for Farragut. Excitement will be high at Eddie Courtney Stadium as Farragut welcomes the back-to-back state champion Rebels in Week 3.
Week 4: September 13, 2024 – at Cleveland(Region)
In Week 4, Farragut travels to Cleveland for its first region matchup of the season. Cleveland’s balanced offense and home-field advantage will make this another tough road test for the Admirals. Farragut will look to open up region play with a win to help bolster its playoff standing.
Week 5: September 20, 2024 – Open Week
Farragut will take a well-deserved break in Week 5 with an open week. This will be a crucial time for rest, recovery, and preparation for the second half of the season, which includes several critical region games that will determine their playoff seeding.
Week 6: September 27, 2024 – vs. Bearden (Region)
After the open week, the Admirals face off against perennial Bearden in a highly anticipated region game. The rivalry between Farragut and Bearden is always intense, and with region standings on the line, this game is always expected to be one of the season’s highlights. The Admirals will look to avenge their 2023 loss to Bearden as the Bulldogs come off their best season, a quarterfinal appearance, since 2010.
Week 7: October 4, 2024 – at Bradley Central (Region)
Farragut hits the road again in Week 7 to take on Bradley Central, another key region opponent. Bradley Central is known for its physical style of play, and this game will be a crucial test of Farragut’s toughness and execution in the trenches. The Bears are coming off their best season since 1976, including 13 wins and a berth in the semifinals.
Week 8: October 11, 2024 – at Oak Ridge
The Admirals continue their road stretch with a game against Oak Ridge, a team that consistently fields tough and disciplined squads. Oak Ridge’s defense will challenge Farragut’s offensive schemes, making this a game where precision and adaptability will be key. The Wildcats will look to build off their best season since 2020.
Week 9: October 18, 2024 – at Jefferson County
In Week 9, Farragut faces Jefferson County on the road. The Patriots are known for their physical style of play, and this game will be a crucial test of Farragut’s toughness and execution in the trenches. The Patriots are coming off their first 10-win season in 20 years as they look to keep the momentum rolling in 2024. Jefferson City is always challenging for any team to play, especially for a region opponent.
Week 10: October 25, 2024 – vs. Hardin Valley (Region)
Returning home for the first time in nearly a month, the Admirals take on nearby rival Hardin Valley in another important region contest. The Hawks are also looking to improve, as they also had a coaching change at the top. The Admirals will look to extend their four-game win streak against the Hawks in 2024.
Week 11: October 31, 2024 – vs. Maryville (Region/Rivalry Thursday)
The regular season concludes with a marquee matchup against the 17-time state champion Maryville Rebels, one of Tennessee’s most storied programs. Played on Rivalry Thursday(TV), this game will be the ultimate test for Farragut as they prepare for the playoffs. The Admirals broke the streak last year and got their first win against the Rebels since 1991 on a last-second field goal to win 13-10.
Conclusion: A Season of High Stakes
The 2024 schedule is demanding, with a mix of strong region opponents, challenging road games, and key rivalry matchups. For Farragut, each game presents an opportunity to prove their mettle and build momentum heading into the playoffs. If the Admirals can navigate this schedule successfully, they will be well-prepared for the challenges of postseason play.
Tweet