Top dog on special teams
Ella, the chocolate Lab with the surest paws in Anderson County, charges into her seventh season as the Mavericks’ tee retriever — still running her routes with Friday-night fire. - Tony Cox
Sports
Ella, the chocolate Lab with the surest paws in Anderson County, charges into her seventh season as the Mavericks’ tee retriever — still running her routes with Friday-night fire. - Tony Cox
Lady Dragons sweep Summer Splashdown
Clinton High School’s volleyball team celebrated Labor Day weekend in championship fashion, hosting and winning its own Summer Splashdown tournament.
The Lady Dragons didn’t drop a set Saturday, rolling through six two-set matches against Oak Ridge, Bledsoe County, the Knoxville Trailblazers, the Knoxville Ambassadors, Cumberland County and Eagleton.
“We had some tough competition and the varsity team didn’t lose a set,” Clinton Coach Lorri Johnson said. “I’m very pleased. We played the toughest competition that we’ve faced all year.”
Clinton (11-4 overall, 2-2 District 3-AAA) also added two district sweeps over Powell last week, climbing to third place in the league standings.
“We’re right where we want to be,” Johnson said. “We’ve had contributions from our seniors and from our young kids. Those younger players are learning the speed of the varsity game. There’s a big difference between 15-year-old club and high school varsity volleyball.”
The Lady Dragons got standout performances in the Splashdown.
Senior Josie Moody racked up 55 kills, 31 assists, 19 digs, seven aces and five blocks while hitting over .400.
“Josie had a great tournament,” Johnson said.
Freshman Claire Barrett added 23 kills and 11 blocks, while Jailie Rodd collected 44 digs and five kills. Parker McGhee finished with 33 kills, 10 blocks, 13 aces and 17 digs.
Setter Alaina Staudenmaier totaled 74 assists, 24 digs and four aces.
Junior Maggie Moke added 13 kills, 14 digs and four aces.
Maggie Turbyville chipped in five service aces, including two clutch serves late in sets.
Walker, Cutler pace ACHS runners in season opener
Anderson County’s John Cutler (1) digs deep during the Victor Ashe Park Fall Classic in Knoxville. Cutler crossed in 17:25.20 to claim 17th place overall, leading the Mavericks to a ninth-place team finish. Teammates Cameron Hardy, Avian Laster, Franklin Downs and Toby Day rounded out the varsity scoring for Anderson County’s boys. - Tony Cox
The Mavericks and Lady Mavericks opened their campaigns Saturday at the Victor Ashe Park Fall Classic in Northwest Knoxville.
The boys finished ninth in the team standings, while the girls placed 14th.
John Cutler led the Mavericks, clocking 17 minutes, 25.20 seconds on the 5,000-meter course.
Cameron Hardy finished 39th with a time of 18:04.50.
Avian Laster was 63rd (18:39.60), Franklin Downs placed 98th (19:44.50) and Toby Day closed out the team scoring in 125th (20:50.10).
For the Lady Mavericks, Jordan Walker posted the team’s best finish, placing 18th in 21:00. Rebekah Berg finished 67th (23:00.80).
Sydney Day came in 79th (23:24.20), while Emma Owens (142nd, 26:32.70) and Rachel Garbes (143rd, 26:35.30) rounded out the lineup.
Anderson County battles, but falls to Irish
Anderson County running back Jayzon Thomas lowers his shoulder and battles Knoxville Catholic’s Chaz Smith for extra yards along the sideline during the Mavericks’ home opener Thursday, Aug. 28. Despite Catholic’s 21-7 win, Thomas and the Mavericks showed grit and physicality throughout the matchup. - Tony Cox
The Mavericks looked sharp in their season opener at Powell the previous week, leading 18-7 before storms suspended play early in the third quarter.
“Overall, I was impressed with our performance (against Powell),” Gillum said. “But we have plenty to improve on. We knew Catholic would be a huge test, and we had to play a lot better to have a chance to win.”
The Mavericks (0-1) fell short Friday, dropping a 28-7 decision to the Irish (2-0).
Catholic started fast, building a 14-0 advantage.
Freshman running back Kruise Buntyn opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter.
Chadwell paces Maverick golfers
Lady Mavericks golfer Sydney May shot 45 in the three-way match against Clinton and Union County. - Dwane Wilder
Luke Baldwin, Hoyt Chadwell, Max Sickau, Peyton Warwick, Preston Vance and Gavin Drake paced the Mavericks in a three-way match against Clinton and Union County.
Anderson County claimed the team win with a score of 168, while Clinton finished second at 165. Union County did not field a full squad.
Chadwell earned low medalist honors with a 39. Baldwin followed with a 40, Sickau carded a 41, Drake shot a 46, Vance posted a 48 and Warwick finished with a 49.
On the girls’ side, Sydney May and Molly Jackson each shot 45 for the Lady Mavericks.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best golf, but I’m proud of the kids and I think we’ll get where we need to be by the time we get to the district tournament,” ACHS Coach Dallas Cole said.
Eckerson steps up for Dragons, throws for 214 yards, TD against Oak Ridge
Clinton’s Mason Eckerson replaced Jaylon Benjamin at quarterback after an injury. Eckerson finished the game completing 19 of 31 for 214 yards and a touchdown. - Dwane Wilder
On a clear evening when former Clinton, University of Tennessee and NFL player Charles McRae’s No. 72 was retired in a pregame ceremony, the Wildcats took a 21-0 lead in the first half and never looked back in a 42-13 win.
Oak Ridge improved to 2-0, having played a full game on Aug. 21, but the Dragons’ season and home opener on Aug. 23 against Heritage was declared a no-contest because of lightning.
Clinton Coach Jake Dawson said his players made a few “game-one miscues” against Oak Ridge.
“In the first half we didn’t play well; in the second half, I thought we played very well,” he said. “Obviously, the game got away from us a little bit. We had a special-teams miscue. I think we were a couple of tackles away from it being a closer game.”
Dragon starting quarterback Jaylon Benjamin scored a second-quarter touchdown against Oak Ridge before leaving with an injury on a sack early in the third period.
All-state receiver Bryson Maddox scored Clinton’s second TD on a pass from backup quarterback Mason Eckerson later in the third.
Porter powers Oak Ridge past Clinton
Malik Howard (3, junior) catches a pass for Oak Ridge in the game against Clinton Friday night. - Kirah Colston | ORHS Sports Media
“This is a big game for us,” Oak Ridge defensive lineman Tobji Watters said after the Wildcats defeated the Dragons 42-13 on Friday night at Dragon Stadium.
“This game is always big, and I still remember when they knocked us out of the playoffs my sophomore year,” he said.
Clinton (0-1) won’t see Oak Ridge in November, as the Wildcats moved up to Class 6A this season. But the roots of the rivalry remain strong.
Clinton wide receiver Bryson Maddox, who caught a touchdown pass for the Dragons, and Oak Ridge wideout Will Pressley have long had their own personal competition.
“I’ve played against Bryson since I was a kid, and he’s a great player,” Pressley said. “We always like to play against each other.”
Lady Wildcats roar back with Bearden Invitational run
Oak Ridge senior Kayven Laurendine (18) goes up strong to defend a header against Knoxville West during Tuesday’s girls soccer clash. Laurendine held her ground in a physical battle for possession as the Lady Wildcats fought to control the tempo. - Kyla Carter | ORHS Sports Media
The Lady Wildcats (2-2-1) salvaged a draw against Webb School of Knoxville on Thursday before closing the weekend with a pair of impressive victories.
On Saturday, Oak Ridge blanked perennial Class AA contender Greeneville, 7-0.
Hayven Laurendine recorded a hat trick, while Lilah Kim scored twice. Elena Vogt and Madeline Wilburn each added a goal.
A day earlier, the Lady Wildcats downed Maryville, 3-1, with three different players finding the net. Laurendine, Lynsee Pennington and Evelyn Eubanks each scored in the win over the Lady Rebels.
“Against Maryville, we had three different players score and that was good to see,” Oak Ridge Coach Trenna Underwood said. “We had two new girls score for us, and that was fun.”
Oak Ridge opened tournament play with a 1-1 tie against Webb. The Lady Wildcats struck first, in the ninth minute, on a goal from Noel Norstedt.
The Lady Spartans tied before halftime on Mary Mac Emery’s strike, but ORHS goalkeeper Marleigh Frazier did well in the closing moments.
She stopped a penalty kick after Webb’s McKalie Ball was fouled in the box.
“The tie against Webb really gave us some momentum, and Marleigh was just amazing,” Underwood said.
Oak Ridge’s golfers rebound after slow start
It was a week of mixed results for the Oak Ridge High School boys golf team.
The Wildcats struggled early, finishing second in a three-way match at Fox Den Country Club, hosted by Farragut.
The Admirals won with a team score of 162. Oak Ridge carded a 177, just one stroke ahead of Knoxville West (178).
“We did not play well at all at Fox Den,” Coach Scott Hinton said. “I just chalk it up to being one of those days. We had tee times, and we usually have a shotgun start. It’s just a whole different vibe for us.”
Abel Hensley led Oak Ridge with a 42. Kaleb Jackson posted a 44, Billy Bennett a 47, Braxton Pemberton a 49 and Ethan Hatmaker a 51.
The Wildcats bounced back at home later in the week, hosting Maryville and Concord Christian at Oak Ridge Country Club.
Maryville won with a 155, while Oak Ridge finished second at 166. Concord came in at 168.
Hunter Hinton paced the Wildcats with a nine-hole 36. Pemberton carded a 41, Jackson a 44, Hensley a 45 and Bennett a 49.
“Concord has a good team and Maryville has a real shot at making it to the region,” Coach Hinton said. “We don’t have the depth that Maryville has, but I was really proud of the way Hunter played. His back had been bothering him, and he was fighting his swing a little bit, but he still played well.”
Kyla Carter | ORHS Sports Media
Oak Ridge junior Ali Rickard (5) drops low to dig a shot during Thursday’s volleyball match against Knoxville Central, keeping the rally alive for the Lady Wildcats.
Robertsville defense shines, CAK capitalizes on mistakes
The struggles continued last week for the Robertsville Middle School football team.
The Rams (0-4) were shut out for the second straight week, falling 14-0 to Christian Academy of Knoxville on Thursday night at Warrior Stadium.
Despite a winless start and back-to-back shutouts, Robertsville interim Head Coach Tyler Carr remains upbeat.
“We’re getting better,” Carr said. “Our defense didn’t give up a touchdown, and we forced two turnovers.
“We had a punt blocked in the end zone, and then after they gave us a turnover deep in our own territory, we fumbled and they recovered in the end zone,” he said.
Carr praised his team’s effort.
“Defensively, we played pretty well,” he said. “Kashton Seaman and Miles Siefken both had interceptions, and Michael Okert had a big game for us.”
Robertsville will look to regroup Thursday when it hosts Knoxville Grace Christian Academy in a non-league matchup at Blankenship Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Lowe, Hannah highlight Clinton scores at Whittle Springs and Three Ridges
Clinton High School’s golf teams spent much of last week competing on Knoxville’s north-side courses.
The Dragons and Lady Dragons played at Whittle Springs on Wednesday, Aug. 27, against Career Magnet Academy and L&N STEM Academy.
In that match, Grant Hannah fired a 33 to lead the Dragons. Isaiah Williams carded a 40, while Zander Ford and Aden Golden each shot 44.
Clinton also competed at Three Ridges, where Hannah again led the way with a 41. Williams and Golden each finished with 44 for the Dragons.
“We had a busy week last week and we had a good day and we had an OK day,” CHS Coach Matt Cain said.
“But I feel great with where we are, as we have three regular-season matches left. We’re playing pretty well, but we’re still leaving some shots around the greens.”
At Whittle Springs, the Lady Dragons’ Sahara Lowe carded a 49, and Kenley Crowley shot a 51.
The duo also represented Clinton at Three Ridges. Lowe posted a 54, while Crowley came in with a 47.
Middle school cross country runners launch season on Knoxville course
Clinton Middle Schools’ Adah Freels finished in the top spot for the Lady Hawks at Saturday’s 2-mile race with a time of 18:34.0. - Tony Cox
Clinton Middle School had four girls toe the line on the two-mile course.
Adel Freels led the Lady Hawks, placing 127th with a time of 18 minutes, 34 seconds. Lacie Murnahan finished 212th (22:26.80), followed by Presley Ryan in 232nd (24:08.70) and Savannah Irwin in 273rd (28:30.30).
The Clinton Lady Blaze were represented by Ingrid Freel, who crossed in 150th at 19:30.70.
Lake City fielded eight runners.
Victoria Jackson paced the Lady Lakers, finishing 90th in 17:20.20. Gabby Green took 160th (20:06.50), followed by Allie Shellhorn in 172nd (20:30.50).
Havana Pietroburgo was 199th (21:50.80), while Kadee Gross (216th, 22:43.80) and Isla Woods (218th, 22:47.00) stayed close together in the middle pack.
Kinslee Justice (267th, 28:02.00) and Naveah Hoffman (270th, 28:05.50) rounded out the squad’s effort.
Norris and Norwood each had one competitor.
The Lady Senators’ Kaidance Moody was impressive with a 62nd-place showing in 16:16.70.
Norwood’s Kiera Farrington finished 263rd in 26:41.00.
Anderson County runners turn out for the 2025 Victor Ashe Park Fall Classic
Members of the Clinton Blaze elementary school cross country team were ready for the one-mile course at the Victor Ashe Park Fall Classic on Saturday. The annual race is the start of the 2025 cross country season for elementary and middle schools, and many high schools in the region.
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