By Michael Lindsay
The Stone Memorial Panthers opened their 2025 campaign with a win Friday in Crossville as they defeated York Institute, 28-6.
“A lot of these kids needed this,” said Stone Memorial head coach Derick Samber. “I’m proud of all these kids; our defense did a tremendous job.”
Panther senior quarterback Noah Potter threw 4 touchdowns in the win while going 12-16 for 171 yards through the air and rushing for another 69 yards.
“I’m feeling blessed,” said Potter. “We’ve trained for this since the Loudon game last year; it was a tough loss. But I give all thanks to God.”
Receiver Dylan Phillips racked up 101 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 catches. Hunter Haney and Kadyn Page each caught a touchdown as well. York quarterback Nathaniel Tipton led the Dragons with 123 rushing yards including a 56-yard touchdown run.
Stone Memorial struck first with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Potter to Kadyn Page to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead with 7:58 remaining in the first quarter.
Potter and the Panthers extended their lead with 9:17 to go in the second quarter as he hit Phillips on a 26-yard touchdown pass to give his team a 14-0 lead.
York Institute marched down the field late in the second quarter inside the Panther 5-yard-line, but couldn’t find pay dirt as a Stone Memorial goal-line stand closed the first half with the score at 14-0.
“I didn’t have to say much at halftime,” said Samber. “These guys have been ready and champing at the bit to get this game going. There was energy on the sidelines.”
Potter and Phillips connected for their second touchdown to start the third quarter, this one from 50 yards out to give Stone Memorial a 21-0 lead with 6:48 left in the third.
The Dragons didn’t go away quietly as Tipton broke loose on a 56-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive. Following a failed PAT, Stone Memorial led 21-6 with 4:59 remaining in the third.
The Panthers put the game on ice late in the fourth quarter as Potter hit Hunter Haney for a 22-yard touchdown completion with 13 seconds left in the third to go up 28-6.
York Institute controlled the ball most of the fourth quarter, but another goal-line stand from Stone Memorial kept the Dragons out of the end zone to seal the 28-6 victory, their first over the Dragons since 2022.
“I’ve got a ton of respect for coach Derwin Wright and that program, and what it meant to me as both a player and coach,” added Samber, a York alumni and former coach.
Up next for Stone Memorial is a trip east to Coalfield, who trailed Gordonsville 21-18 in the third quarter before inclement weather forced a suspension of the game with no winner declared. York Institute will host White County (0-1) on Friday.
“We’ve got to continue playing smart,” said Potter. “If we keep playing smart and trusting our guys, we can win ball games.”
