By Michael Lindsay
Week 5 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:
Upperman Holds Off White County, 28-21
The Upperman Bees improved to 5-0 overall following a 28-21 victory over Region 4-4A foe White County. The deep ball was working early as Bronzden Chaffin hit two deep passes in the first half, one for a touchdown to Carmine Phillips. The Bees took a 21-0 lead into halftime before White County stormed back to cut the Upperman lead to 21-14 with 6:40 remaining. An Ethan Palk touchdown with 3:19 left sealed Upperman’s 28-14 victory.
DeKalb County Wins Third Straight, Defeats Gordonsville 21-7
Backup quarterback Jordan Parker led the DeKalb County Tigers to a 21-7 victory Friday evening as he threw and rushed in a touchdown. DeKalb held a 21-0 halftime lead before Gordonsville ran the opening kick of the second half back. DeKalb County improves to 3-0 with the win.
Livingston Academy Wins First Home Game Since 2019, 49-0
The Livingston Academy Wildcats picked up their second consecutive win Friday evening in impressive fashion as they defeated Pickett County, 49-0. All 49 points came in the first half as seven different Wildcats found the end zone: Will Brown, Brodey Coffee, Jaxon Boles, Kollin Weitzel, Trey Coleman, Gage Hoffman and Dylan York. LA improves to 2-3 with York Institute coming to town next week.
Jackson County Slows Down RBS Offense En Route to 21-14 Victory
The Jackson County Blue Devils held a Red Boiling Springs offense averaging nearly 40 PPG to only 14 as they defeated the Bulldogs 21-14. Jackson County QB Waylon Kennedy threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in the win. The Blue Devil defense stopped RBS on the JC 21-yard line with 37 seconds left to seal the victory.
Macon County Shuts Out Cumberland County, 35-0
Macon County picked up another road victory in Region 4-4A play Friday evening as they defeated Cumberland County, 35-0. The Tigers scored in all three phases of the game as Zach Borders took a pick-6 34 yards to the end zone while brother Gabe Borders housed a 63-yard punt return. Macon County quarterback Luke Gammon threw for two touchdowns in the victory. All attention now turns to Macon County’s showdown with White County this week.
York Institute Hangs 74 on Tellico Plains In Shutout Victory
The York Institute Dragons made a homecoming statement Friday night as they defeated Tellico Plains, 74-0. The Dragons had 53 points at halftime behind 3 touchdowns each from Myles Leffew and Riylin Miller along with a score by Joseph Linder and Aidan Sweathomas. Leffew posted 138 rushing yards on 6 carries. The Dragons are 4-0 overall and 2-0 in region play and are showing no signs of stopping.
Clay County Defeats Portland In a Shootout, 48-36
Clay County’s secondary put on a performance for the ages Friday evening as the Bulldogs pulled in six interceptions and three pick-sixes in their 48-36 victory over Portland. Nate Adams had four interceptions on the evening with two going to the house for touchdowns while Nolan Adams had the other two picks and a pick-six. After an 0-2 start, Clay County has won 3 straight games while averaging 43 PPG in the wins.
Monterey Runs Away With 35-14 Victory at Westmoreland
Monterey got back into the win column in impressive fashion Friday night as they won at Westmoreland, 35-14. A 71-yard Jalen Rigdon touchdown run with 20 seconds left until halftime gave the Wildcats a 21-7 lead at the break. Westmoreland returned a pick-6 early in the third quarter to make it 21-14 before rushing touchdowns by Collin Fowler and Kole Bowman sealed the 35-14 victory. Monterey is currently 3-2 overall.
Smith County Opens Region Play With 27-7 Victory Over Trousdale
The Smith County Tigers opened Region 3-2A play with a 27-7 victory over Trousdale County Friday evening to improve to 3-1 overall this season. After a scoreless first quarter, the Owls recovered a muffed Trousdale punt to set up an Ethan Madewell touchdown run early in the second period immediately followed by a Payton Hix pick-six to give Smith County a 14-0 lead at halftime. Freshman QB Riley Martin punched in a short TD run early in the third period to give the Owls a 21-0 lead before the Owls closed out to win 27-7. Smith County is currently 4-1 overall and travels to East Robertson this week.