The Admirals opened the 2019 TSSAA 6A Playoffs at home against Bradley Central on Friday night. Farragut and Bradley met in the first game of the season and the Admirals won that contest 37-30 in a thriller. The Admirals were looking to beat the Bears again to advance to the 2nd round of the 2019 Playoffs.

Farragut received the opening kickoff and the offense was quick to hit its stride. Gavin Wilkinson found Isaiah Arrington on the fifth play of the drive for a 63-yard touchdown reception. The Admirals jumped out to a 7-0 start with 9:39 left in the opening quarter. The Bradley offense was quick to answer however, scoring on the first play of the drive on a 63-yard run that tied the score 7-7 with 9:18 left on the clock. The Admirals took over the ball and were again quick to strike. This time it was via Eli Purcell’s 39-yard touchdown run that put the Admirals back ahead 14-7 following Simeon Sharp’s extra point.

The Admiral defense rebounded nicely on the following drive, starting out with a 2 yard tackle-for-loss on first down and a run for no gain on second down. The defensive front forced pressure and the secondary added tight coverage to force an incompletion and a three-and-out series. For the third consecutive drive, the Farragut offense was quick to strike, this time Gabe Hensley set himself up for a two yard touchdown after a 55-yard run.

The Admirals extended their lead to 21-7 with 6:07 left in the 1st. The Farragut defense followed up with another three-and-out that gave the Admiral offense the ball back at their own 40. The Admirals, for the fourth consecutive drive, would waste no time getting into the end zone as quarterback Gavin Wilkinson would scramble 24 yards for another Farragut touchdown, putting the Farragut lead at 28-7 to end the 1st.

Fumbles on two consecutive drives by the Bradley Bears gave the Admirals the ball back on the Bradley side of the field. A 36-yard Gavin Wilkinson to Alec Keathley completion gave way to Keathley scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run 3 plays later to give the Admirals a 35-7 lead with 10:08 left in the half. On the ensuing possession, he Bears embarked on a 17-play drive, but the Admirals stepped up to force a turnover on downs inside the 5 yard line.

The next Farragut offensive drive yielded an unusual result for the night and saw the Admiral punt for the first time on the night. Another three-and-out by Bradley and the Admirals wound up wit the ball with :58 left to play before halftime. Unfazed by the time crunch, the Admirals made quick work of the possession as Gavin Wilkinson found Isiah Arrington on a 75-yard touchdown pass. The Admirals lead 42-7 at going into fhalftime.

Set to kickoff to the Bears, Farragut looked to open the half without taking their foot off of the gas. The Admiral kickoff team did just that. Bridges Coffey forced a fumble on the return and Dylan Cosey was there to scoop it up and score from 30 yards out. This put the Admirals ahead 49-7 and gave them insurance on the continuous running clock. Bradley did not lay down, they completed a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the ensuing drive to bring the Farragut lead to 49-13 after a missed XP attempt with 10:36 left to play in the 3rd. The next Farragut drive ended in an interception, but Bradley was unable to convert on 4th down as the 4th quarter began.

After the defensive stand, the Admirals began getting invaluable game experience for the future. Roy Moore’s 56-yard run proved to be the catalyst for the drive.

On the 9th play of the drive, Dawson Moore found Zach Keasling for an 11-yard touchdown pass, which extended the Admiral lead to 56-13 with 5:34 left to play. Bradley Central would find the end zone one more time to put the final score at 56-21.

The Admirals advance to play at Maryville next Friday night in the 2nd round of the 2019 TSSAA Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm next Friday.

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.

With a playoff opportunity hanging in the balance, Farragut hosted Jefferson County on Friday night for the final game of the 2019 regular season. Best case, the Admirals would host a first round playoff game, worst case Farragut would be turning in their pads on Monday, but the focus was on one thing, winning.

Jeff County won the coin toss and decided to defer giving the Admirals the ball to begin the game. A fumble, however, on the opening kickoff would give the Patriots the ball on the Admiral 28 yard line. The Admiral defense would answer as a Micah Johnson interception on the first play would give the Admirals the ball right back. Farragut’s offense went to work at their own 27 yard line looking to strike first. Two quick completions for 25 yards moved the ball passed midfield, then 4 straight rushes moved the ball further down field to the Patriot 38. However, three straight incompletions followed for the Admirals and they were forced to punt the ball away. Jefferson County would take over at their own 20 and look to establish their running offense quickly. The Patriots were able to march down to the Farragut 35, but the Admiral defense was able to hold strong on 4th and 3 to turn the Patriots over on downs.

Farragut took over at their own 34, again looking to strike first. After picking up 25 yards on the first four plays of the drive, a 41-yard Eli Purcell touchdown run put the Admirals on the board first, giving the Admirals a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After a Jefferson County punt, the Admirals took over at the Patriot 49 yard line. A conversion on 4th-and-4 setup a 36-yard Gavin Wilkinson to Matt White touchdown pass that extended the Admiral lead to 13-0 with 10:53 left in the 2nd. The Jefferson County offense looked to answer, and a 45-yard run put them in prime position to do so, scoring 4 plays later from 6 yards out.

After a successful 2 point try, Farragut still lead 13-8 with 7:28 left before half. The Admirals took over at their own 31 hoping to extend the lead again. An 8-yard rush on 3rd and 6 was followed by a 52-yard Gavin Wilkinson to Alec Keathley pass that would put the ball at the 5 yard line with the Admirals looking to score. That score would come 2 plays later when Alec Keathley found the end zone from 3 yards out and extended the Admiral lead to 20-8 with 4:47 left before half. Jefferson County took over trying to score before half and cut the lead knowing they would get the ball to begin the 2nd half. Running on 7 of their first 8 plays gave way for another run, but this time it was for 39 yards and a Patriot touchdown. The Admirals still lead 20-16 at halftime.

Jefferson County carried their run heavy offense into the 3rd quarter, embarking on a 15-play, 65-yard drive that was extended by a roughing the punter penalty that gave the Patriots new life. The drive took up nearly half of the 3rd quarter and was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a failed 2 point try. The Patriots took the lead for the first time in the game, 22-20 with 6:38 left in the 3rd.

The Admirals would not trail for long, as Gavin Wilkinson found Mason Collins for a 65-yard touchdown reception, the first of Collins’ career, and gave the Admirals a 27-22 lead with 6:26 left in the 3rd. Like a boxing match that saw two fighters exchanging haymakers, the Patriots would waste no time answering. A 75-yard touchdown would put Jefferson County back on top 28-27 with 3:25 left in the 3rd. A 32-yard Jackson Fontenot kickoff return set the Farragut offense with the ball at the Patriot 40 yard line. It would take 8 plays for the Admirals to punch it in, as a 13-yard Gavin Wilkinson to Alec Keathley pass again lit the scoreboard up for the Admirals. Farragut again found themselves on top 33-28 as the 4th quarter began.

Jefferson County took over at the Farragut 21 yard line looking for a drive similar to the one that began the 2nd half for them, one that would chew up the clock and result in a touchdown. A 16-play drive would follow, seeing the Patriots rush 13 times and score on an 8-yard run. The Patriots regained the lead 34-33 with 5:03 left to play. The Admirals knew what hung in the balance as several scenarios had played out at other games throughout the region.

The season came down to the final five minutes and three seconds of this game. Scoring and stopping the Patriots would mean hosting a first round playoff game, while failing to do so meant the season would end and playoff hopes dashed. A determined Admiral offense took over at their own 29 yard line with the season lying in their hands.

A healthy mix of run and pass on the drive, along with strategic clock management, saw an Alec Keathley 10-yard touchdown run with :42 left to play give the lead back to the Admirals, 39-34. The had :42 left to play to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Patriots started possession from their own 18-yard line after great kickoff coverage by Eli Purcell. Jefferson County completed consecutive passes for 13 and 14 yards, respectively, to move the ball close to midfield. Two plays later, a Logan Foody interception sealed the Admirals fate and gave them a 39-34 win over Jefferson County.

The Admirals finished the regular season at 5-5 overall and 4-2 in region 1-6Aplay. With the win, the Admirals earned right to host Bradley County in Round 1 of the 2019 TSSAA Playoffs. Farragut and Bradley met in week 1 of the regular season this year, where the Admirals outlasted the Bears 37-30.

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.

The Admirals hosted the Maryville Rebels at Bill Clabo Field on Friday, September 27 as fans packed the stadium to see the two 6A programs square off in a non-Region clash. The Admirals and Rebels battled in last year’s Class 6A Playoff Quarterfinals which ended in a 26-10 decision in favor of the Rebels. Maryville (5-0) entered the game undefeated and ranked #1/2 in most major Class 6A polls. The Admirals (2-3) came into the game with a much needed Region 1-6A win versus Morristown West. Though these two teams came into the game with much different records the game was still very much anticipated from both fanbases.

Maryville put their high-powered offense on display first as the Admirals elected to kickoff to begin the game. Andrew Doane recorded a big tackle for loss to keep the Rebels at bay early. A 3rd down conversion from QB Cade Chambers to talented WR A.J. Davis was aided by a facemask penalty to put the Rebels in Farragut territory for the first time. Chambers would find Davis two plays later for a 17 yard gain and move the ball inside the red zone. The Admirals’ defense would force another 3rd down opportunity but once again the Rebels would convert. Chambers hit WR Nick Dagel for a 9-yard score to put the Rebels up 7-0 early with 8:00 left to play in the first quarter.

Farragut’s Hunter Shopovick would return the ensuing kickoff out to the 23-yard line to start their opening series. QB Gavin Wilkinson hit WR Judah White early and found TE Alec Keathley over the middle to convert on an early third down attempt. The Admirals would stall from there, though, and Brady Hodges was called in to punt after the Admirals had moved the ball out to their own 44-yard line.

Maryville would begin their next drive on their 23-yard line following Hodges’ punt. The Rebels began with two quick first down runs by RB Parker McGill to start the drive. With the ball close to midfield the Admirals’ defense began to stand its’ ground. After a couple of nice stops, the Rebels decided to go for it on 4th-and-13 from their own 48-yard line. Farragut’s Andrew Doane would come up from his linebacker position to make a huge hit on the Rebel’s McGill as he attempted to catch a screen pass sneaking out of the backfield. The hit would cause a fumble that was recovered by Maryville, however the Admirals would take over on downs in great field position.

Wilkinson and the Admirals’ offense would start possession on Maryville’s 43-yard line. A couple runs by RB Sam Kniss and a short, 3rd down conversion run by Senior Gabe Hensley put the Admirals just outside the Maryville red zone. Wilkinson would throw to Judah White for 13 yards and move the offense closer as the first quarter came to a close. After flipping ends of the field, Hensley would take a handoff and burst through the middle of the Rebels’ defense for 8 yards down to the 5-yard line for first-and-goal. On second down, Wilkinson would drop back to throw and see room for himself outside the pocket. Wilkinson’s scramble managed to beat the Rebels’ Mason Shelton to the right pylon to score from 5 yards out. The Admirals had moved 43 yards in nine plays on the drive and tied the score at 7-7 with 11:03 remaining until halftime.

Maryville would answer on their next drive after taking over on their own 35-yard line following Simeon Sharp’s kickoff. Cade Chambers hit A.J. Davis from 6 yards out to put the Rebels back ahead. The Rebels’ drive covered 65 yards in six plays taking little time off the clock. A big play on the drive was a 43-yard swing pass to RB McGill out in the flat. With 8:57 left in the second quarter the Rebels led 14-7.

Farragut would again move the ball into Maryville territory on their next series. Sam Kniss found a big hole up the middle and sprinted 18 yards across midfield. Farragut would march 33 yards on seven plays but a Maryville sack of Wilkinson on second down pushed the Admirals’ offense back to the 43-yard line. A failed third down attempt would bring on punter Brady Hodges to punt away.

Maryville would begin possession from their own 20-yard line and move 51 yards in 10 plays into Farragut territory. But the Admirals’ defense would again hold their ground. Juniors Trey Nesbitt and Eli Purcell would converge for a tackle for loss on the Maryville running back. The ensuing play would result in an incomplete pass and bring up 4th down. Maryville’s Chambers dropped back from his own 29-yard line and immediately felt pressure from the Admiral rush. Junior DE Dawson Brown would corral Chambers for no gain as he attempted to escape the pocket and give the ball back to the Admirals’ offense after forcing their second 4th down stop on the night.

Farragut’s offense would not capitalize, though, as it fumbled the ball back to Maryville on its’ second play of the drive and give Maryville their best starting field position of the night at the Admirals’ 31-yard line. Chambers and the Rebels needed just six plays to score as McGill sprinted in from 14 yards out to score. With just :58 remaining until half, Maryville had stretched their lead to 21-7 over Farragut.

Wilkinson would lead the Admirals’ offense down the field in a great two-minute drive. Farragut needed 8 plays to move the ball 58 yards with Wilkinson going 4-of-5 passing and wasting little time on the clock. Wilkinson was able to hit Keathley for nine yards and a first down to start the drive. He found Judah White twice for a total of 19 yards to move the ball into Rebel territory. Gabe Hensley sprinted up the middle for nine yards to pick up a short third down conversion and move the ball dow to the Rebels’ 32. Wilkinson found Shopovick one play later on the sideline to move the ball for 18 yards and inside the Rebels’ red zone. Sophomore kicker Simeon Sharp came on and drilled the 31-yard field goal as time expired in the half. The Rebels led 21-10 but Farragut had claimed some momentum going into the locker room.

Farragut would continue to ride that momentum on the opening drive of the second half. Wilkinson would lead the Admirals on an 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive resulting in an Isaiah Arrington TD reception covering 10 yards. Strong running by Kniss combined with timely passing from Wilkinson kept the Rebels’ defense on their heels. Shopovick found room across the middle as Wilkinson found him for 29 yards to move the ball into the red zone. After a holding penalty against the Admirals, Shopovick would again find room in the Rebels’ secondary for 16 yards to move the ball down to the 13-yard line. Wilkinson would find Arrington two plays later and the Admirals had cut the deficit to 21-17 with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter.

Maryville’s offense would again move into Farragut territory on their ensuing possession. But the defense of Farragut would stand strong yet again. Eli Purcell and the Admirals’ defense would repeatedly apply pressure to the Rebel QB and a third down incomplete pass brought up another 4th down decision for the Rebels. This time they sent out their placekicker to attempt a 39-yard field goal from the right hash. Purcell, once again applying pressure, saw the kick come up short of the crossbar and the Admirals’ defense had held once again.

The Farragut running game combined with short passes to Keathley and Shopovick moved the ball across midfield. But after gaining 36 yards in just six plays, the Admirals would see their second fumble of the night end the drive at the Rebels’ 42-yard line.

Maryville’s offense would capitalize this time. After being penalized 15 yards for a late hit personal foul on the Rebels’ offense, Maryville would see themselves in a 3rd-and-16 situation. Chambers dropped back and found his speedy WR Ashton Maples behind the secondary for a 64-yard TD strike to push the Rebels’ lead to 28-17 following the extra point. The Rebels claimed an 11-point advantage as 1:13 remained on the third quarter clock.

Farragut’s offense would again try to respond. Starting from their own 35-yard line following Maryville’s kickoff that went out of bounds, Farragut would march 39 yards in eight plays into the red zone. A 34-yard reception to Keathley on third down helped extend the drive. Wilkinson could not find Keathley again two plays later, and a Maryville sack on third down ended the drive. Simeon Sharp was called upon once again but his 43-yard attempt sailed just wide to the left as the Rebels would maintain an 11-point lead.

Maryville would go to the ground to run some clock as McGill and Chambers combined to move for yardage on the ensuing drive. Facing a third-and-goal, Chambers found A.J. Davis from nine yards out to push the Maryville lead to 35-17. The Rebels had managed to march 80 yards in nine plays, and with 6:36 remaining in the game, Maryville had it’s largest lead of the night.

Farragut’s offense would not go quietly. Wilkinson led the offense on a 10-play 74-yard scoring drive capping it off with his second rushing touchdown on the night. Isaiah Arrington had two catches for 38 yards on the drive to move closer to the red zone. Maryville would be called for a pass interference penalty to move the ball to the 13-yard line. Sam Kniss would dart up the middle for nine yards and Wilkinson’s second touchdown run on the keeper would cover the final four yards. Farragut had managed to cut the lead to 35-24 with 3:03 remaining in the game but Farragut’s attempt at an onsides kick would fail. The Maryville offense was able to pick up two first downs that were needed to run out the clock.

Farragut dropped to 2-3 overall on the season, but still look to defend their Region 1-6A Championship from a year ago. The Admirals remain unbeaten (1-0) in Region 1 play and begin a five-game stretch against Region 1 opposition this week. Farragut and Maryville will play Freshmen and JV games on Monday, September 30, at Bill Clabo Field. Kickoffs are set for approximately 5:30 and 7:15 respectively. As always be sure to check out photos from all the games at crfoto.com and check out replays of the Varsity games online made possible by the Farragut Football Boosters Club.

Farragut’s first opportunity to bounce back will be at home this Friday versus Science Hill (2-4) at Bill Clabo Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm. Despite their overall record (2-4), the Hill Toppers will look to remain atop the Region 1 standings at 2-0.