Middle school football action begins Thursday night
It’s still early August, and temperatures are still sweltering, but it’s football time in Anderson County — at least for four area middle school teams.
Norris, Clinton, Robertsville, and Jefferson will all kick off their 2024 seasons Thursday night.
The Senators, who went undefeated and captured the 2023 Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference championship, will begin defense of their title on the road as they travel to Lenoir City with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Coach Richie Noe will begin his 20th season as the Norris coach.
Clinton, which went 4-5 and made the playoffs last season, will begin its second season under head Coach Eric Woodard at home against Spring City at 7 p.m.
The Rams also open at home as they host Fort Loudoun. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.
Robertsville has a new head coach. Ron Gray, a former high school assistant at Oak Ridge, Knoxville Catholic, and Knoxville Halls, takes over for Tyler Carr.
Carr is the Rams’ assistant head coach and defensive coordinator this season. He guided Robertsville to a 6-4 record and postseason appearance last season. The Rams reached the second round of the playoffs in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will begin their third season under the direction of Coach Rodney Ellison, a former head coach at Powell High. He has also been an assistant at Oak Ridge and Knoxville Catholic.
Jefferson, which went 1-7 last season, will head to West Knoxville Thursday to face Christian Academy of Knoxville. The Eagles defeated the Warriors (0-8 in 2023) for their lone victory last season.
Lake City to kick off its season Aug. 10: The Lakers will open their regular season on Tuesday against The King’s Academy.
Lake City will also host a jamboree on Saturday.
Brandon Duncan will officially begin his second season as Lake City’s head coach as the Lakers try to improve upon last year’s 1-7 record.
