By Michael Lindsay
Week 4 of the 2023 high school football season wrapped up on Friday with 9 Upper Cumberland programs picking up victories. UCR takes a quick look at each Friday night win on the Upper Cumberland:
Stone Memorial Wins GOTW Thriller In Sparta 28-26
The Stone Memorial Panthers kept their perfect start to the season alive Friday as they won a nail-biter in Sparta, 28-26. Stone is 4-0 with two one-score road victories while averaging 32 points per game. A sluggish first quarter and early deficit was erased by an 85-yard kickoff return to the house by Maddox Oquendo, who also caught a touchdown later in the game. White County’s Tripp Pinion eclipsed the season 1,000 rushing yard mark Friday as he racked up 209 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground along with 173 and a score through the air. Stone hosts Meigs County next week while White County travels to Upperman (4-0).
Macon County Holds Off Smith County In Overtime, 6-3
Strong defense was on full display in Lafayette Friday as no touchdowns were scored in Macon County’s 6-3 overtime victory over Smith County. Eli Gammon made two Macon County field goals before Zach Borders pulled in a game-sealing interception in overtime to improve Macon County’s record to 3-1.
Clay County Runs Away With 35-13 Victory at Monterey
Clay County made a statement Friday as they picked up a 35-13 road victory at Monterey. Quarterback Nate Adams had a hand in 4 touchdowns as he threw for 2, rushed one and returned a pick-6 90 yards with less than a minute remaining to ice the game. Adams’s two touchdown passes were to Nolan Adams on 54 and 29-yard strikes. After starting 0-2, the Bulldogs have found their groove as they’ve won 2 straight to by a combined score of 82-20. A 3-game home stand awaits the Bulldogs (2-2) as they look to get back over .500.
Upperman Pulls Away Late Over Livingston, 34-14
The Livingston Academy Wildcats flirted with the Upper Cumberland’s biggest upset in years as they trailed Upperman 21-14 in the fourth quarter. Upperman HC Adam Caine’s Baxter squad wasn’t about to make that history, however, as the Bees closed the fourth quarter strong to preserve their second region victory of the year and improve to 4-0 overall.
DeKalb County Picks Up Key Road Win Over Watertown, 20-10
DeKalb County picked up their second win of the season Friday as they hit the road to defeat AP top-10 Watertown in comeback fashion, 20-10. Watertown took a 10-0 lead in the second period before DeKalb responded with 20 unanswered points for the win. DeKalb freshman kicker Adrian Prater made two field goals along with touchdowns from Marquez Chalfant and Brizz Trapp.
Jets Shut Out Pickett County in Homecoming Win, 63-0
The Cumberland County Jets flew high to a 63-0 homecoming victory Friday evening over Pickett County. Jet quarterback Bryson Wilson did it all as he racked up four passing touchdowns one on the ground and a pick-six. 4 Jet receivers caught touchdowns along with Darrell Davis posting 100 rushing yards and a score.
Gordonsville Cruises to 35-6 Win at Jo Byrns
Gordonsville hit the road for their second consecutive win Friday evening as they defeated Jo Byrns, 35-6. After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers took a 14-0 lead into halftime before pulling away in the third quarter by a 28-6 margin. Gordonsville’s 35-6 victory improves them to 2-2 overall this season with a trip to DeKalb County on the slate next week.
Red Boiling Springs Improves to 3-1 Via 42-12 Win Over Mt. Juliet Christian
The Red Boiling Springs Bulldogs improved to 3-1 overall Friday night with a dominant 42-12 victory over Mt. Juliet Christian. The Bulldog offense averages 39 points per game behind 6’4″ lefty quarterback Aubrey Link, who had a hand in all 6 RBS touchdowns. The gunslinger rushed for 3 scores while airing it our for 3 more including a 70-yard strike to Joseph Birdwell with 35 seconds left in the first half. RBS travels to Jackson County (1-3) on Friday.
York Institute Overcomes Second-Half Deficit at Bledsoe, 27-17
The York Institute Dragons opened Region 2-2A play with a come-from-behind victory Friday evening as they won at Bledsoe County, 27-17. Bledsoe County held a 17-14 halftime lead before the Dragons outscored the Warriors 13-0 in the third quarter to win 27-17. York spread the love offensively Friday as a different Dragons scored each touchdown: Logan Pannell, Riylin Miller, Blake Voiles and Aiden Sweathomas. The 3-0 Dragons host 1-3 Tellico Plains on the Mountain this week in another region contest.