By Michael Lindsay
Week 8 of the 2023 high school football season wrapped up Friday night with 5 Upper Cumberland programs picking up victories. UCR takes a quick look at each Friday night game on the Upper Cumberland:
York Institute Takes GOTW Victory Over Stone Memorial, 14-7
The York Institute Dragons made a statement Friday evening as they won a low-scoring contest against Stone Memorial, 14-7, to improve to 7-0 overall. Stone Memorial scored on the AP #1-ranked Dragons on the game’s opening drive via a Maddox Oquendo touchdown run followed by York’s Blake Voiles punching in two short touchdown rushes before the half to give York a 14-7 lead at the break. Stone Memorial threatened in the second half but never broke through the YAI defense as the Dragons held on to win 14-7. York Institute (7-0) travels to Friendship Christian next week while Stone Memorial (6-2) is off.
White County Cruises To 41-7 Victory Over CAK
The White County Warriors took care of business early in Friday’s 41-7 victory over Christian Academy of Knoxville as quarterback Tripp Pinion rushed in a 51-yard touchdown on the fourth play from scrimmage. Darvon Richmond along with Jojo and Demarious Dowell each found the end zone in the first half to give Sparta a 27-0 lead at the break. Richmond and Cole Sims scored second-half touchdowns to seal the 41-7 victory. White County (4-4) has a bye week scheduled next week.
Gordonsville Stays Perfect In Region Play Via 49-19 Victory at RBS
Gordonsville hit the road north to Red Boiling Springs Friday and left with a 49-19 Region 4-1A victory over the Bulldogs. Gordonsville (5-3, 2-0) struck early and often as quarterback J Foster threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter along with a rushing score by Bryson Grisham to give the Tigers a 21-0 lead. The Tigers led 42-7 at halftime before closing out the 49-19 victory. Gordonsville is off next week while RBS hosts Clay County.
Smith County Picks Up Region 3-2A Win At Jackson County, 40-0
The Smith County Owls returned to the win column in emphatic fashion Friday as they won at Jackson County, 40-0. Smith County (6-2, 3-0) pitched their second shutout of the season in the win while staying undefeated atop Region 3-2A. The Owls host Westmoreland (3-4, 1-2) next week in league play.
DeKalb County Earns Critical Region 4-4A Win Over Jets, 40-12
The DeKalb County Tigers got back to .500 Friday evening as they rolled to a 40-12 victory over Region 4-4A foe Cumberland County. The Tigers have next week off before traveling to White County with a playoff spot on the line.
Other Games Of Interest
Sale Creek defeats Pickett County, 54-0