Oak Ridge Today

Lady Wildcats shut out Halls, advance to district soccer championship

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Lady Wildcats Zoe Van Hook and Halls on Oct. 13, 2015

Oak Ridge sophomore Zoe Van Hook (17) had two goals in the second half of a 10-0 shutout win over Halls during a District 3-AAA semifinal game at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. Van Hook defends here against Halls junior Taylor Grabner (7). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge girls soccer team shut out Halls 10-0 at home on Tuesday, and the Lady Wildcats advance to the district championship game at Powell on Thursday. Win or lose, Oak Ridge is guaranteed a game in the Region 2-AAA tournament that starts Tuesday, Coach Jeff Trombly said.

Six Lady Wildcats scored against the Lady Red Devils on Tuesday. Senior Macy Barclay had three goals, and sophomore Zoe Van Hook and freshman Kate Hausladen each had two. Adding one goal each were senior Katie Welsh, junior Leah Scudder, and sophomore Alex Rouse.

Barclay also had two assists, both on the goals by Hausladen. Scudder, sophomore Katie Roach, and freshman Valerie Carter also had one assist each. [Read more…]

AC wins district volleyball championship, OR is runner-up; both advance to region

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Anderson County Lady Mavericks District 3-AAA Volleyball Champions 2015

The Anderson County Lady Mavericks, pictured above, won the 2015 District 3-AAA volleyball championship, beating Oak Ridge 3-1 at Halls on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Both teams advance to the Region 2 tournament that starts Tuesday at ACHS. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:35 p.m.

HALLS—The Anderson County Lady Mavericks won the District 3-AAA volleyball championship on Wednesday, beating Oak Ridge 3-1. Both teams advance to the Region 2-AAA tournament that starts Tuesday at Anderson County High School.

The Lady Wildcats, who finished as District 3-AAA runner-up, won their semifinal games 3-1 over Halls earlier Wednesday, while the Lady Mavericks swept Gibbs 3-0.

Anderson County’s one loss to Oak Ridge in the final round on Wednesday was the first district loss for the Lady Mavericks this season. They won the first two games 25-18 and 25-8, but then lost the third one 26-28.

The girls fell into a lull in the third game, but erased that from their minds and started over in the fourth match, Lady Mavericks Coach Jayme Smith said. They won the fourth game 25-11. Winning teams had to win three of the five potential games. [Read more…]

Undefeated Eagles finish season 8-0, win league championship over Grace Christian

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JMS Eagles Jack Replogle and Grace Christian Oct. 8, 2015

Jefferson Middle School quarterback Jack Replogle (18), an eighth-grader, runs for his second touchdown in a 30-14 middle school championship win over Grace Christian at Blankenship Field on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The undefeated Jefferson Middle School Eagles finished the football season 8-0 and won the league championship 30-14 at home against Grace Christian on Thursday. They were named Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference champions.

A week earlier, the Eagles won the city championship in a 52-0 win over Robertsville Middle School.

That means the Eagles were city champions, league champions, and undefeated this year. That gave jubilant JMS fans a reason to celebrate as they tried to recount the last season like this. It’s the best in a long, long time, Jefferson Middle School Coach Brian Wilson said.

It was the second time this year that the Eagles beat the Grace Christian Rams.

JMS eighth-grade quarterback Jack Replogle ran for two touchdowns on Blankenship Field on Thursday and three two-point conversions. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats back on ‘winning track,’ beat Catholic 2-0

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Lady Wildcats Leah Scudder and Catholic Oct. 5, 2015

Oak Ridge junior Leah Scudder (22) looks for a pass during a 2-0 win for the Lady Wildcats at home on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

After a short slump, the Oak Ridge girls soccer team got “back on the winning track” in a 2-0 win over Knoxville Catholic at home on Monday.

The Lady Wildcats (11-3, 4-1 District 3-Class AAA) scored one goal in each half. The first was by sophomore Zoe Van Hook with 3:38 remaining in the first half. She curled left from the center of the goal box and kicked the ball into the right side of the net from the left side of the box, past goalkeeper Katie Whitaker. Oak Ridge junior Olivia Hoyt got the assist on that goal.

Senior Katie Welsh scored the second goal for Oak Ridge after a corner kick by senior Ellie Brown. The ball bounced around a bit in front of the net before Welsh kicked it into the left side of the net past Catholic goalkeeper Miriam Janoyan at 12:55 in the second half.

“I think it was a good effort, back on the winning track,” Oak Ridge Coach Jeff Trombly said. [Read more…]

Wildcats rush for 500+ yards, Allison scores four TDs in 56-14 win at Karns

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Wildcats Darel Middleton and T.J. Allison at Karns Oct. 2, 2015

Senior running back T.J. Allison (6) scored four touchdowns, including two in the first quarter, during a 56-14 win over Karns on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. Here, Allison runs for a 53-yard TD, his first of the night, behind the blocking of senior receiver Darel Middleton (9). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 7 p.m.

KARNS—The Oak Ridge Wildcats rushed for more than 500 yards, and senior running back T.J. Allison scored four touchdowns in a 56-14 win at Karns on Friday.

With 514 yards rushing, it was the most productive running game for the Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Region 3-5A) this season. Their previous high was 270 yards rushing against Sevier County on Thursday, September 24.

For the first time this year, the Wildcats had two runners with more than 100 yards rushing. Allison had 171 yards on 12 carries and four touchdowns, and freshman Jordan Graham, who went out with an ankle injury in the third quarter, had 163 yards on three carries.

Graham, who had a breakout performance against Lenoir City two weeks ago, has now picked up more than 100 yards in each of his last three games.

Friday was the least productive game through the air for the Wildcats. The Beavers held Oak Ridge to 75 yards passing, and for the first time this season, standout junior receiver Tee Higgins (two catches, 29 yards) did not score a touchdown. Higgins, a University of Tennessee commitment, was covered much of the night by senior Devin Harper, an Oklahoma State commitment who led Karns (1-5, 0-3) in rushing. [Read more…]

Jefferson Middle wins city championship in 52-0 blowout over Robertsville

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Jefferson Middle Isaiah Johnson and Robertsville Middle Keyon Porter on Oct. 1, 2015

Isaiah Johnson (20) of Jefferson Middle School returned a Robertsville Middle School punt for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 24-0 lead at 4:05 in the first quarter. Here is being pursued by Keyon Porter (1) of Robertsville Middle School. Johnson also returned an interception a few minutes earlier for a touchdown in the first quarter of a 52-0 win over the Rams on Blankenship Field on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Five Jefferson Middle School football players scored touchdowns, and Eagles quarterback Jack Replogle ran for two and threw for one during a 52-0 blowout city championship win over Robertsville Middle School on Blankenship Field on Thursday.

Replogle wasn’t the only Eagle to score two touchdowns. Isaiah Johnson also had two. He returned an interception for a touchdown a few minutes into the first quarter, and he returned a punt for a TD about two minutes after that, giving Jefferson a 24-0 lead at 4:05 in the first quarter.

Three other Eagles scored touchdowns during the annual city championship on Thursday: Jonathan Ellis, Carson Hope, and Mitchell Gibbons. [Read more…]

ORHS Marching Band brings ‘The Music of Bond’ to winners circle at Karns, Maryville

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ORHS Wildband Brass on Sept. 26, 2015

The Oak Ridge High School WildBand performs at the Karns Marching Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, when they won overall top scoring band. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

By Merny Hughey

Congratulations to the Oak Ridge High School Marching Band for winning back to back as the overall top scoring band at the Maryville and Karns Marching Invitational events this month.

Under the direction of Spence Milligan, Mike Spirko, Josh Bibbs, and Sean Greene, with music arranged by Mike Spirko, the students have brought “The Music of Bond” to the winners circle two Saturdays in a row as well as to the Wildcat football games.

From the tuxedo show shirts to our very own James Bond, the band is not only performing difficult music to the beat of our talented percussion section, but also enhancing the iconic Bond music with dance, color, and story from the Color Guard.

The WildBand won the high music score at these first two competitions as well as top scores for Drum Major, Percussion, and Color Guard against other very talented bands that have more practice time due to scheduling. [Read more…]

Two Lady Hawks combine for 10 shots, three goals in 4-1 win over Oak Ridge

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Hardin Valley Paige Hewitt and Lady Wildcats Katie Welsh Sept. 23, 2015

Paige Hewitt (14) of Hardin Valley had five shots and two goals against Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. Above, Katie Welsh (5) of the Lady Wildcats defends against Hewitt, left, in a 4-1 win for Hardin Valley in Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Two Hardin Valley girls combined for 10 shots and three goals in a 4-1 win over the Lady Wildcats in Oak Ridge on Wednesday.

Paige Hewitt had five shots and two goals for Hardin Valley, and Gabby Powers had five shots and one goal.

Reagan Ely also scored for the Lady Hawks.

Macy Barclay had the lone goal for Oak Ridge (11-3, 4-1 District 3-Class AAA). [Read more…]

Wildcats score on four turnovers in 44-34 win at Sevier County

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Wildcats Jordan Graham and Sevier County on Sept. 24, 2015

Oak Ridge freshman Jordan Graham (30), who led the Wildcats in rushing, scores on a 74-yard touchdown run, widening the Wildcats’ lead to 37-20 at 9:19 in the fourth quarter in Sevierville on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat) 

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:09 p.m.

SEVIERVILLE—Oak Ridge scored three touchdowns and a field goal on four turnovers by Sevier County in a 44-34 win in Sevierville on Thursday.

The Wildcats added three more touchdowns without the help of turnovers to maintain their game-long lead over the Smoky Bears in a televised game on Hardin-Robertson Field.

Sevier County, which fought to stay in the game until the end, had more total yards than Oak Ridge, 441 compared to 379. The Smoky Bears had almost twice as many first downs, 19 to 10. But the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1 Region 3-Class 5A) converted two interceptions and a fumble recovery into touchdowns, and a third interception led to a field goal.

“We won the turnover battle big time,” Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis said. “Our defense played well all night.” [Read more…]

Wildcats freshman scores three TDs in 55-15 win over Lenoir City

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Wildcats Jordan Graham Touchdown and Panther

With UT Coach Butch Jones watching from the sidelines, Oak Ridge freshman running back Jordan Graham (30) runs for his third touchdown, a 60-yard sprint, in a 55-15 win over Lenoir City on Homecoming Night at Blankenship Field. Blocking at right are senior Darel Middleton (9) and junior Tee Higgins (5). Middleton and Higgins both had TD catches on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 19.

Wildcats freshman running back Jordan Graham scored three touchdowns, including one on the opening kickoff return and another in front of University of Tennessee Coach Butch Jones, during a 55-15 win over Lenoir City on Homecoming Night at Blankenship Field on Friday.

“It was a great experience,” Graham said. He gave credit to his teammates and their blocking for setting up his first three Wildcats touchdowns.

Graham, who ended with more than 100 yards rushing, started the scoring on a 91-yard kickoff return on the first play of the game. He initially fumbled the ball, but he recovered his own fumble and raced to the Panther end zone, first making defenders miss and then outrunning them.

Graham, a small, fast 14-year-old, scored again at 5:51 in the second quarter, sweeping around the right side of the offensive line after a toss from senior quarterback Jordan Dunbar, weaving through defenders in the center of the field, and running 59 yards to score inside the left pylon, making it 21-8. [Read more…]

With few games left, JMS Eagles football team 5-0

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JMS Jack Replogle and CAK Sept. 10, 2015

Jefferson Middle School quarterback Jack Replogle (18), an eighth-grader, runs against CAK on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. (Photo by Heather Hartman)

 

The Jefferson Middle School Eagles are undefeated, and the 5-0 team will play Webb at home on Thursday. It will be one of the last few games of the football season.

“It’s going to be a competitive, tough game,” said Brian Wilson, Eagles football coach and JMS physical education teacher.

The Eagles will play the Robertsville Middle School Rams on Thursday, October 1.

The Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference will have its league championship on Thursday, October 8, although it’s not clear yet who will play. The team that is ranked number one will host it. That will be the end of the middle school season. [Read more…]

Wildcats have first shutout, roll over Mavericks 41-0

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Wildcats Tee Higgins Mavericks Sept. 11, 2015

Oak Ridge junior receiver Tee Higgins (5) had two touchdowns against Anderson County in a game that started Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, but was suspended because of lightning, and then resumed Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. Higgins has seven touchdowns this season, leading all Wildcats. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3:45 p.m. Sept. 15.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats had their first shutout of the football season, rolling over Anderson County 41-0 in a game that resumed Monday after being suspended because of lightning on Friday.

For the third time this year, junior receiver Tee Higgins had two touchdown catches. He has a total of seven this year, leading all Wildcats.

Oak Ridge senior running back T.J. Allison, who hadn’t scored before Friday, had two touchdowns on Friday and Monday, including his first touchdown catch of the season.

Senior running back and safety Gavin Warrington also scored his first touchdown of 2015, and so did senior running back and defensive back Davon Middleton. [Read more…]