Construction began on Monday, May 2nd on the new synthetic turf to be installed at Bill Clabo Field. This project began as the fourth turf installation project at a Knox County high school this spring. Powell, Fulton, and Bearden have also began construction on their fields as well.
Photo courtesy of Chase Scott
Construction crews from Baseline Sports Construction, LLC. entered the stadium Monday morning and began removing the existing goalposts at either end of the field. These goalposts will be moved to the practice field and replaced with new ones. The entire construction process will take eight to ten weeks for completion, which is plenty of time for the Admirals to become acclimated with the new surface prior to the home opener with the Powell Panthers on August 19th. Be sure to check back regularly for photos, videos, and updates to the construction process as we continue into the summer!
Photo courtesy of Chase ScottPhoto courtesy of Chase Scott
Thanks to BSN Sports in Knoxville and our team sales rep, Royd Walker, players and fans can now purchase Under Armour apparel and gear for the upcoming season at a premium rate! The store items for both players, parents, and fans, including; cleats, gloves, wristbands, workout shirts, gym shorts, tennis shoes, polos, jackets, pullovers, hats, and much more! The online store will only be open from now until Friday, May 13th through the BSN website, www.bsnteamsports.com, and enter the access code: admira3KR to visit the store! Parents take this opportunity to customize your own Admiral gear for you and your family. All orders must be in by the May 13th deadline in order to be delivered on time! All orders will be delivered to the FHS Football Fieldhouse to be distributed!
WR #4 Davis Simmons PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz, CRfoto.com
The 2016 Admirals will take to the practice field for the first time next week on Monday, May 2nd at 4:00 pm. With the graduation of 22 seniors from the 2015 squad, there will be many new players looking to step into leading roles for the first time. Returning for the Admirals on offense will be offensive linemen Chance Bolen (C) and Andrew Maxey (OT). Davis Simmons (WR) returns as the leader for a talented, young wide receiving corp.
LB #15 Cooper Hardin PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Reveiz, CRfoto.com
The QB and RB competitions will be exciting to follow as the Admirals look to replace departing seniors Jacob Naumoff and Tanner Thomas in the backfield. On defense, the Admirals return a strong linebacking corp led by 100+ tacklers Cooper Hardin and Drew Butler. The Admirals must replace the likes of Cole Strange and Hunter Fox on the defensive line, but look to do so with a deep rotation in 2016. The secondary welcomes all new faces in 2016 but several candidates looking to step into starting roles this year played significantly last season. The kicking game will absorb the loss of senior standout Carter Phillipy with returning punter Joe Doyle handling all of the kicking duties in 2016.
The Admirals will hold the annual Blue vs. Grey spring game on Friday, May 6th before scrimmaging the Central Bobcats the following week to conclude spring practice (Date/Time TBA). For the Blue vs. Grey game, The Battlestation will be open so you can load up on Admiral gear, as well as the concession stand so you can bring the family and have a night at the ball field. The Blue vs. Grey game is FREE admission, so its a great night to bring the family out and checkout the 2016 Admirals. Also, make sure you stop by the concession stands and try out a $5 Football Mega Burger. Season passes will also be available for $30 each, passes get you in all Varsity, JV, and Freshmen football games throughout the 2016 season.
Just before practice starts on May 2nd, construction will begin on Bill Clabo Field that morning to replace the natural bermuda sod with synthetic turf for the 2016 season. It’s an exciting time to be an Admiral so fans be sure to come by on Friday, May 6th for the Blue vs. Grey spring game as well as the scrimmage with Central the following week! Go Admirals!!
National Signing Day 2016, 5 signees surrounded by teammates.
Wednesday was National Signing Day for the Class of 2016. The Admirals saw 6 of their own commit to play at 6 different institutions.
DE/TE Cole Strange signed to play at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cole chose Air Force over Army, UTC, and several other offers. In his senior season, Strange led the team in sacks, with 7.5, in minus yard tackles, with 18, and was 2nd in total hits, with 103.5 despite missing 4 games due to injury. Cole ranks 5th in school history for most tackles for loss in a season, with 18. He also ranks 11th in school history in career tackles, with 226.
RB Tanner Thomas signed with the Ivy League’s Columbia University in New York, NY. Tanner chose Columbia over Cincinnati, UTC, and several other schools. Tanner leaves Farragut as the 2nd leading career rusher in school history with 5,013 yards, and ranked 2nd with 64 touchdowns. Thomas’ junior and senior years’ rushing totals rank 9th and 4th, respectively, in school history. Tanner also set the record for most rushing TDs in a game, with 6 against Bearden in 2014.
K Carter Phillipysigned with Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN. Carter chose Austin Peay over MTSU and several other offers. Carter leaves Farragut with the best PAT % for any kicker in history, hitting 99.2%, only missing one attempt in 129 tries for his career.
Long snapper Ben Hoffman signed with Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. Ben was selected to play in the 2016 Under Armour All-American game, the first Farragut player to have received that honor.
DT Hunter Fox has chosen to continue his football career at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY. During Hunter’s senior season, he ranked 5th in total hits, tied for 3rd in minus yard tackles, and tied for 3rd in sacks.
QB Jacob Naumoff decided to further his football career at Bethel University in McKenzie, TN. Naumoff leaves Farragut 4th in career passing yards with 3,529. Jacob’s junior and senior seasons rank 11th and 3rd, respectively, for single season passing yards. Naumoff also holds the records for single game pass completions, 27, and single game pass attempts, 43, both coming in 2014 against West.
The 4th annual Farragut High School Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony is next Saturday night, January 30, at 6:00 pm in the FHS Commons. The FHS Sports Hall of Fame was established in 2013 to honor and recognize former Admiral athletes for their outstanding accomplishments in athletics. The featured guest speaker for this year’s ceremony is 2013 Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Bates. This year’s class will recognize 10 former athletes and 2 coaches for their outstanding contribution to FHS Athletics. This year’s class includes:
Coach Buddy Fisher (Football, 1987-1995)
Coach/ Player Natalie Sisk (Girls’ Basketball, 1983-97 & Soccer, 1986-90)
Tickets for the ceremony are $30 (in advance) or $35 (at the door). Tables are for sale for $225. For more information, contact Susan Pratt in the FHS Office at 865-671-7126 or by email: susan.pratt@knoxschools.org
opportunity to customize your own Admiral gear for you and your family. All orders must be in by the May 13th deadline in order to be delivered on time! All orders will be delivered to the FHS Football Fieldhouse to be distributed!
