By MIKE BLACKERBY Bryan Brown had one more thing to do before he recently stepped down as athletics director at Hardin Valley – hire his successor as track and field/cross country coach at HVA. These were big shoes to fill. And Brown, who resigned … [Read more...]
Pigeon Forge Football prepared once again to run its way to the TSSAA playoffs
by MIKE BLACKERBY Pigeon Forge coach Scott Meadows has never been a big fan of the forward pass. Just call him a throwback to days long gone by. “We don’t have any ice bags for the quarterback’s shoulder,” quipped Meadows. … [Read more...]
SCRIMMAGE REPORT: Farragut Admirals at Powell Panthers – Friday, Aug. 5, 2022
BY MIKE BLACKERBY There was some big news that came out of Friday’s lightning-delayed scrimmage featuring Farragut at Powell. But it had nothing to do with what happened on the field after the teams endured a 90-minute wait to begin play due to bad … [Read more...]
GATLINBURG-PITTMAN Football looking to big junior class for success in 2022
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Thanks in large part to a large and talent-laden junior class, the football futures are trending up for Gatlinburg-Pittman heading into the 2022 high school season. Second-year coach Brad Waggoner said the Highlanders are more … [Read more...]
Jefferson County Football playing with ‘an expectation’ in 2022
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Has Jefferson County football finally turned the corner after some mighty lean years? Patriots coach Spencer Riley, who guided Jeff County to its first winning record (6-5) since 2012 last season, thinks so. “I think we can … [Read more...]
Hardin Valley’s Bryan Brown named Knox County Schools athletics director specialist
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Bryan Brown built the Hardin Valley Academy cross country and track and field programs from scratch in 2008, quickly turning both into state powers. After an almost unparalleled run at HVA that included 13 state team championships … [Read more...]
7v7 REPORT: Central junior RB Frank Johnson IV rounding into the complete back
By MIKE BLACKERBY JEFFERSON CITY – There’s a reason Central coach Nick Craney plans to make junior running back Frank Johnson IV the centerpiece of the Bobcats’ offense in 2022. Johnson looked more fluid and quicker than ever Thursday as the … [Read more...]
Senior dual-threat QB Jayden Miller and McMinn County Cherokees show off skill at 7v7 Camp at Carson-Newman
BY MIKE BLACKERBY JEFFERSON CITY – At a strong and sturdy 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, McMinn County quarterback Jayden Miller certainly passes the eyeball test. His on-the-field production likely also turned some heads Thursday at the FCA Team … [Read more...]
MEDIA DAY NOTES: Gibbs stadium delays, Vols commit injured, Powell’s target, Central QB race, West leaders
High school football players and coaches from around East Tennessee shared insights about their programs Friday at the annual Knoxville Football Officials Associaton’s Media Day. So we compiled a notebook of things we learned, from Gibbs’ new … [Read more...]
7-on-7 REPORT: Anderson County QB Walker Martinez looks back up to par
BY MIKE BLACKERBY CLINTON – Senior quarterback Walker Martinez sure looks fully recovered, and that’s great news for the Anderson County High School football team. Martinez, who suffered a broken wrist midway through the 2021 season, had no … [Read more...]