By Michael Lindsay
Friday night number two of the 2023 high school football season has wrapped up with multiple Upper Cumberland programs picking up victories. UCR takes a quick look at each Friday night win on the Upper Cumberland:
Upperman Rolls Past Class 6A Lebanon, 24-14
It took the Upperman Bees approximately 7 days and 2 hours to make a bigger statement than their week one win over Fayetteville as they cruised to a 24-14 victory over Lebanon. A Branson Turnbow pick-six in the second half put the game out of reach as the Bees now turn their attention to their Region 4-4A opener at Macon County next week.
Stone Memorial’s Offense Explodes at Sweetwater, 40-16
4 week-one passing touchdowns for Stone Memorial quarterback Nick Osmun weren’t enough as the senior gunslinger threw 4 more Friday in a blowout victory at Sweetwater. The 2-0 Panthers have momentum on their side as they host rival Cumberland County in week 3.
Smith County Earns Road Shutout at DeKalb County, 21-0
They say defense travels, and Smith County certainly brought theirs to DeKalb County on Friday as the Owls shut out the Tigers, 21-0. Freshman quarterback Riley Martin connected with Jermaine Cason on two touchdown passes in the victory. Unfortunate news for DeKalb County as quarterback Brizz Trapp left the game early with an apparent injury.
Tripp Pinion, White County Makes Statement at Warren County
What was billed as a close football game was anything but as White County cruised to a 35-6 victory at Warren County. Junior do-it-all quarterback Tripp Pinion rushed for 238 yards and four touchdowns in the rivalry win. The “down year” for Sparta hasn’t looked very down the first two weeks as they’ve outscored opponents 63-19 in two wins. Oh, and they host Cookeville next week. Enough said.
Cookeville Enters the Win Column Over PURE Academy, 21-18
The Cavs knocked on victory’s door last week but busted through Friday as they defeated PURE Academy, 21-18. A 29-yard field goal by Alonzo Sanchez-Cantu with 5:05 remaining was the difference for the Cavaliers, who now have a taste of success as they travel to Sparta next week.
Monterey Shuts Out Rockwood, 21-0
Monterey traveled east to a former region foe and left with a 21-0 victory over Rockwood on Friday. After a scoreless first quarter, Collin Fowler hit Logan Montgomery on a touchdown pass midway through the second to out the Wildcats ahead 6-0. Second-half rushing touchdowns by Fowler and Kole Bowman secured the 21-0 victory.
(Monterey social media photo provided by Chris Darus)
Chaos Ensues at Whites Creek at Livingston; Game Postponed Until Monday
Whoever has the Livingston voodoo doll, just leave it alone already. The Wildcats held a 24-12 lead over Whites Creek with less than 2 minutes remaining until halftime when an isolated thunderstorm with strong winds knocked out power in all of Livingston. After waiting it out, the schools agreed to finish their final 25 minutes of action on Monday at 6:30.
Macon County Cruises Past Trousdale, 42-0
2022 Mr. Football finalist Gabe Borders did it all Friday night as the Macon County Tigers cruised to 2-0 overall via a 42-0 victory over Trousdale County. Borders scored the first two Macon County touchdowns of the night as the Tigers ran away with the victory. All eyes now turn to Macon County’s region opener next Friday as Upperman comes to town.
Pickett County Earns 28-6 Victory Over Sunbright
The return of Pickett County football this season also saw the Bobcats return to the win column Friday night with a 28-6 victory over Sunbright. A football fandom that’s seen plenty of turmoil recently was all smiles this week as they look to build back their program. Winning games is vital to the process, and Pickett County did just that on Friday.
*York Institute is scheduled to host Grace Christian Academy on Saturday at 7 p.m.*