By Michael Lindsay
Week 7 of the 2023 high school football season wrapped up Friday night with X Upper Cumberland programs picking up victories. UCR takes a quick look at each Friday night game on the Upper Cumberland:
UC #1 Upperman Wins Low-Scoring Affair At #4 Smith County, 14-0
Two UC heavyweights met in Carthage Friday as the Upperman Bees left with a 14-0 victory. Upperman scored on their first drive via a Bronzden Chaffin touchdown pass to Kam Bush followed by an Ethan Palk 19-yard rush late in the second quarter. Upperman’s defense shut out Smith County as the Bees improved to 7-0 entering the bye week.
Cookeville Overcomes 16-Point Deficit at Gallatin, Wins 26-23
Cookeville picked up a program-building victory Friday evening as the Cavaliers overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to win at Gallatin, 26-23. Gallatin took a 23-7 lead early in the first half before the Cavs stormed back to win 26-23. A Blake Owen touchdown pass to Mason Taylor sparked the comeback followed by another strike through the air to Presley Jared in the second quarter to tie the game at 23 at halftime. Gallatin drove inside the Cookeville 10-yard line in the second half but got no closer as an Alonzo Sanchez-Cantu field goal with 1:58 remaining was the difference as Cookeville won 26-23.
Macon County Wins Key Region Game at DeKalb, 32-20
The Macon County Tigers kept their quest for a home playoff game on track Friday evening as they won at Region 4-4A foe DeKalb County, 32-20. Macon went to their bag of tricks early as Gabe Borders took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. DeKalb County took a 14-13 lead midway through the second period before Macon went to the locker room ahead 19-17. DeKalb County nailed a field goal late in the third period to take a 20-19 lead before Luke Gammon hit Gabe Borders on a 51-yard touchdown pass followed by a late fourth quarter touchdown to seal the 32-20 victory. Macon County improves to 6-1 while DeKalb County falls to 3-4.
Stone Memorial Puts Away Livingston Late To Win 28-11
The Stone Memorial Panthers picked up another Region 4-4A victory Friday evening as they defeated Livingston Academy, 28-11. LA held a 3-0 lead after the first quarter before Stone Memorial put 14 on the board in the second period to lead 14-3 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Panthers found the end zone twice in the fourth quarter to take a 28-3 lead. Livingston snuck in a touchdown late to make the final score 28-11. Stone improves to 6-1 and 4-0 in Region 4-4A play. The Panthers are scheduled to travel to undefeated York Institute (6-0) on Friday.
Pinion’s Monster First Half Leads White County to 41-17 Win Over Jets
The White County Warriors picked up their first Region 4-4A victory of the season Friday via a 41-17 win over Cumberland County. Sparta quarterback Tripp Pinion racked up 271 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half while throwing for two more scores in the opening half against the Jets. White County improves to 3-4 overall and welcomes CAK to Sparta next week.
York Institute Shuts Out Oneida, 28-0
The York Institute Dragons kept their undefeated season rolling on The Reservation Friday as they won at Oneida, 28-0. Oneida was held to only 42 yards of offense Friday. A Blake Voiles first-quarter touchdown got things rolling for the Dragons before quarterback Myles Leffew hit Aidan Sweathomas for a 36-yard touchdown pass late in the second period to give the Dragons a 14-0 halftime advantage. Voiles and Riylin Miller tacked on fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score 28-0 in favor of the Dragons. York improves to 6-0 and hosts Stone Memorial next week.
Jackson County Cruises to 52-0 Homecoming Win Over Pickett
Jackson County ran away with a homecoming victory Friday evening as the Blue Devils defeated Pickett County, 52-0. Jackson County improves to 3-4 overall with a home contest against Smith County scheduled for next week.
Clay County Wins Fifth Straight, Defeats Jo Byrns 25-6
Clay County’s defense was on full display Friday evening as the Bulldogs defeated Region 4-1A foe Jo Byrns, 25-6. Celina has won 5 straight games as the Bulldogs sit at 5-2 overall entering their bye week. Clay County is set to take the field next on Oct. 13 at Red Boiling Springs.
Gordonsville’s Effective Passing Game Leads Tigers To 31-7 Win
Gordonsville won their second straight game Friday evening as the Tigers defeated Forrest, 31-7. Gordonsville quarterback J Foster was effective through the air as he threw for 3 touchdowns through 3 quarters in the victory. Foster hit Canaan Musgrove and Dalton Hancock on a pair of first-half touchdown throws before a Gavin Kemp field goal before half gave the Tigers a 17-0 lead. Foster hit Hancock again in the third quarter along with a rushing touchdown by Bryson Grisham to give Gordonsville a 31-0 lead. Forrest tacked on a third-quarter touchdown to make the final score 31-7. Gordonsville travels to Red Boiling Springs next week for a Region 4-1A contest against the 4-2 Bulldogs.
Monterey Holds Off Cascade Rally For 28-23 Victory
Monterey got back in the win column Friday as they held off a Cascade comeback attempt to win 28-23. The Wildcats jumped ahead by two scores early as a Kole Bowman rushing touchdown followed by a Jacob Knight scoop-and-score on defense gave Monterey a 14-0 lead with 6:52 left in the first period. Monterey’s Collin Fowler punched in a touchdown rush early in the second period as the Wildcats led 21-3 at halftime. Bowmans scored his second touchdown of the game with 3:26 left in the third period to give Monterey a commanding 28-3 lead. The game was far from over, however, as Cascade scored 3 touchdowns in a 7-minute span of the fourth quarter to pull within 5 at 28-23. Monterey held on for the victory, however, to improve to 4-3 overall.