This week we had to get ready for Webb School of Knoxville. They are a Wing-T team that can be difficult to defend if the defense is not disciplined. There were several issues to begin the game. Webb did not tell us ahead of time that they did not plan on running the scoreboard clock which makes managing the game more difficult. After some discussion with the Webb administration we worked it out for Doug LeQuire to take care of the clock and scoreboard duties. I would once again like to thank Doug LeQuire for stepping in to help our team as usual. Doug for years has been a big help to our team and he was again for this game. A big thanks needs to go to Coach Doug by everyone. Thanks again Doug for all you do for us!

After a few adjustments our defense settled down and held Webb to only one scoring drive. Several players made big plays defensively for us. Jonah Dunnings had the hardest hit of the game when a Webb running back tried to cutback while Jonah was pursuing. Jonathan Decker, Ryan Clark, Kahlil Abhunia, Florent Ismali, and Peyton Hill led the defense. Physical hits and gang tackling helped put an end to the Webb running game.

Offensively we were led by our offensive line. Logan Turbyfill, Garrett Livesay, and Sam Scott moved defenders which allowed huge runs by Dustin Clabough, Mason McClanahan, and Matthew McClurg. Caleb Woody kept the Webb defense from crowding the line of scrimmage by beating them deep on a 48 yard touchdown pass from Mitchell McClurg.

This was the first game or scrimmage that we were unable to get the majority of our team in the game in for atleast a few plays. Our success on game day can be attributed to the hard work put in by our scout team offense and defense. This week our scout team offense needs to be thanked for providing a great look for our first team defense. The scout team did a great job executing Webb’s offense and defense. Great job Jake Amburgey, Logan Turbyfill, Sam Scott, Myles Brown, Bryson Motley, Austin Endsley, Jalen Sykes, Malik Salter, Chris Badgett, Iyron Edwards, Caleb Cooper, George Hooker, and Jared McDonald. These guys knocked our first defense around while executing a difficult offense. A huge part of the win goes out to everyone who works hard in practice to help us succeed.

This week we play North Middle School from Lenoir City on Thursday, September 8th. Kick-off is set for 7:00pm. We will wear our maroon uniforms. Players need to be back at school no later than 5:20pm.

Thank you,

Coach McClurg

This week began badly. Within the first few minutes of Monday’s practice wide receiver/defensive back Gabe Long broke is arm while catching passes in warm-ups. Just after the injury occured Gabe told Coach Flynn that his arm was dislocated from 40 yards away I could easily see that Gabe was wrong!!! It wasn’t dislocated it looked pretty bad. We contacted Gabe’s family along with Peggy Bratt our AMS/AHS trainer who quickly immobilized Gabe’s arm and helped get information to the hospital on Gabe’s injury. Gabe had surgery that night and we received good news that opening up the arm wasn’t necessary. Gabe’s a tough football player, just over 24 hours later he made it to our game against Carpenters and was the team captain for the game. Please keep Gabe and his family in your prayers. We are also sad to announce that 7th grader Kameron Miller who made a huge hit on a kick-off and recovered a fumble on another kick-off against Sevier County has had to leave the team due to a back injury that was non-football related. Please keep Kameron and his family in your prayers. In another injury 6th grader Logan Hickey broke his hand at practice just over a week ago and will not be able to return this season. Please keep Logan and his family in your prayers.

On Tuesday night we played Carpenters Middle School at Alcoa. We played a great game in almost everyway. Our defense looked very sharp. The first defense never allowed a first down and CMS never scored during the game. Everyone of the 56 players on the roster got to play again for the second game in a row. Caleb Woody did a great job of kick-off again. Dustin Clabough and Khalil Abuhania both made big time hits to stop kick returners in their tracks. The offensive line dominated up front. Garrett Livesay, Sam Scott, Logan Turbyfill, Jonathan Decker, and Quay McCollum along with Cameron Canfield moved defenders out of the way so that our run game could get established early. Caleb Woody caught a Mitchell McClurg pass for 34 yards to put us in position to score. Dustin Clabough broke free for a 24 yard touchdown run to begin the scoring. On our next series Mitchell McClurg broke free for a 15 yard touchdown run behind the blocking of Jonathan Decker and Quay McCollum. Our final score of the night came on a 28 yard touchdown reception by Ryan Clark. Ryan made an amazing catch and off defenders to get in the endzone. Florent Ismali had two sure handed catches for conversions.

Defensively we played the best I’ve seen this year. Safety Payton Hill patrolled the secondary to ensure that no pass would be completed and any runner who broke through would be put on the ground. Jeremiah Scott, Matthew McClurg, Mason McClanahan, and Jonah Dunnings made several stops to prevent Carpenters from moving the ball.

Next week, we play Webb School away on Thursday, September 1st. Players will need go home after school on Thursday and return ready to board the bus with all equipment at 5:00pm. The bus will pull out at 5:30pm. Kick-off is set for 7:00pm.

Thanks,

Coach McClurg