By Michael Lindsay
Week 3 of the 2023 high school football season wrapped up on Friday with X Upper Cumberland programs picking up victories. UCR takes a quick look at each Friday night win on the Upper Cumberland:
Cookeville Takes Down Rival Sparta In 42-35 Thriller
The UCR Game of the Week didn’t disappoint as the Cookeville Cavaliers won a 42-35 shootout at White County. Both quarterbacks put on career performances as Cookeville’s Blake Owen racked up 110 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns along with 78 yards and a touchdown through the air. White County’s Tripp Pinion posted 297 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns for the Warriors. The Cavaliers have momentum on their side as they’ve won 2 straight games.
Upperman Wins Physical Showdown at Macon County, 14-7
There’s no love lost between bitter Region 4-4A rivals Upperman and Macon County as the Bees traveled to Lafayette and left with a 14-7 victory. Upperman held a 14-0 halftime lead behind touchdowns from Jaxson Rollins and Kam Bush. Macon County got on the board via a 36-yard touchdown by Gabe Borders early in the third period, but Baxter kept them at bay for the rest of the night to improve to 3-0.
Stone Memorial Remains King of the Mountain With 35-0 Win over Cumberland County
The high-powered Stone Memorial offense cruised to a 35-0 victory over cross-town foe Cumberland County Friday in the King of the Mountain showdown. The 3-0 Panthers improve to 1-0 in Region 4-4A with the victory and have a trip to Sparta next week.
DeKalb County Cruises To 31-9 Win In Region Opener Over Livingston
Questions surrounding DeKalb County were answered Friday night as the Tigers defended their home field with a 31-9 victory over Livingston Academy. LA held a 6-3 lead early in the second quarter before DeKalb County took a narrow 10-9 advantage to the locker room. The second half was all DeKalb as the Tigers scored 21 unanswered points to win 31-9. DeKalb County quarterback Brizz Trapp posted 210 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win.
Clay County Rights The Ship With A 47-7 Win Over Jackson County
The Clay County Bulldogs struggled to find the end zone in the first two weeks, but Bruce Lamb’s squad is back on track following a 47-7 victory over Jackson County on Friday. The Bulldogs travel to a tough Monterey program next Friday.
Smith County Lights Up the Scoreboard in 47-28 Victory Over Liberty Creek
Smith County made themselves comfortable in the end zone Friday evening as they ran away with a 47-28 victory over Liberty Creek in their 2023 home opener. The Owls are 3-0 with a non-region trip to Lafayette on the horizon for a showdown with Macon County.
Red Boiling Springs Runs Away With 46-0 Win Over Pickett County
The RBS offense came to life for the second time in 3 weeks as the Bulldogs ran away with a 46-0 win in Byrdstown. The 2-1 Bulldogs host Mount Juliet Christian next week with their sights set on a second straight win.
Gordonsville Shuts Out Trousdale, 14-0
The Gordonsville Tigers got back to familiar territory Friday evening: the win column. After an 0-2 start to the season, Gordonsville shut out Trousdale County on the road, 14-0 for their first win of the season. Gordy will look to make it back-to-back road victories next week with a long trip to Jo Byrns.
*York Institute had a bye this week. The 2-0 Dragons return to action next Friday at Bledsoe County*