Oak Ridge Today

Football photos: Oak Ridge shuts out Campbell County to win region championship

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Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis was pleased with the performance of the Wildcats’ defense, which is shown here trying to stop Cougars quarterback Zach Rutherford (12) during a 28-0 region championship win at Campbell County on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

JACKSBORO—The Oak Ridge Wildcats shut out Campbell County 28-0 on Thursday to win the Region 3-5A championship, making them a top seed going into the playoffs and giving them home-field advantage in at least the first two rounds, assuming they get a win in round one.

Here are photos from the game by John Huotari of Oak Ridge Today. [Read more…]

Wildcats race to quick 35-0 start again, this time against Karns

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Oak Ridge senior wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) caught two passes for touchdowns for the Wildcats during a 56-6 win over Karns on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. One was a 56-yard reception on the Wildcats’ first offensive play, and the second was a 33-yard catch. Higgins is defended here by Karns senior Jefferson Holt (19). (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Like they did a week earlier, the Oak Ridge Wildcats again raced to a quick 35-0 start on Friday. The undefeated Wildcats scored their first four touchdowns in their first nine plays during a 56-6 win over the winless Karns Beavers.

Last week, against Sevier County, the Wildcats rolled to a 35-0 lead in the first quarter.

This week, against Karns, they jumped out to a 35-0 lead by early in the second quarter, on Senior Night on Blankenship Field. Like last week, the scoring pace slowed after that.

Oak Ridge held Karns to 65 yards on offense.

The Wildcats again scored on their first offensive play, this time on a 56-yard pass from junior quarterback Johnny Stewart to senior wide receiver Tee Higgins, a Clemson commitment who was left undefended in the middle of the field.

Higgins scored again late in the first quarter on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Stewart. [Read more…]

Football photos, videos: Oak Ridge vs. Lenoir City

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Oak Ridge junior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2) hands off the football during a 45-8 win at Lenoir City on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. Stewart threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns, and he had 12 completions on 20 attempts (60 percent). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

LENOIR CITY—The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Lenoir City Panthers 45-8 in Lenoir City on Friday. Here are photos and videos from the game. [Read more…]

Caleb Jackson scores twice, recovers two turnovers in Wildcats’ win at Lenoir City

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Oak Ridge senior Caleb Jackson (25) scored two touchdowns for the Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, and he recovered two Lenoir City turnovers during a 45-8 win over the Panthers in Lenoir City. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

LENOIR CITY—Oak Ridge senior Caleb Jackson scored two touchdowns for the Wildcats on Friday, and he recovered two Lenoir City turnovers during a 45-8 win over the Panthers.

Senior wide receiver Tee Higgins, a Clemson commitment, added three touchdowns for Oak Ridge.

The Wildcats scored on their first four drives, once after intercepting Lenoir City sophomore quarterback Gabe Williams.

Halfway through the regular season, Oak Ridge is undefeated at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in Region 3-5A.

Lenoir City fell to 1-4 and 0-2 with the loss at home on Cecil Thomas Field.

Oak Ridge plays Sevier County (1-4, 1-1 Region 1-5A) at home on Blankenship Field at 7:30 p.m. September 23. It’s Homecoming Night. [Read more…]

Football photos II: Oak Ridge in 41-28 win over Dobyns Bennett

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Football Caleb Brinkman and Dobyns-Bennett Aug 26 2016 Culiat

Oak Ridge senior lineman Caleb Brinkman (76) is pictured on the sideline above during a 41-28 win for the Wildcats at home on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Dobyns-Bennett Indians 41-28 on Blankenship Field on Friday. Here is the second of two sets of photos by Julio Culiat. [Read more…]

Football photos I: Oak Ridge in 41-28 win over Dobyns Bennett

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Oak Ridge Wildcats and Dobyns-Bennett Football Clark and Thompson Tackle Aug 26 2016

Oak Ridge senior linebacker Kyndall Clark (54) tackles Dobyns-Bennett senior quarterback Cole Maupin (6) with help from Oak Ridge sophomore Caelan Thompson (32) during a 41-28 win for the Wildcats at home on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Dobyns-Bennett Indians 41-28 on Blankenship Field on Friday. Here is the first of two sets of photos by Julio Culiat. [Read more…]

Acrobatic catches, long TD runs, fumble recoveries help Wildcats in 41-28 win over D-B

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Jordan Graham Touchdown Run Dobyns-Bennett Aug 26 2016

Oak Ridge sophomore running back Jordan Graham (22) scored the last of his three touchdowns on a 79-yard carry up the right side of the field in the second quarter of a 41-28 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats’ 41-28 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Friday featured acrobatic catches by senior wide receiver Tee Higgins, long touchdown runs by sophomore running back Jordan Graham, and three fumble recoveries by senior linebacker Kyndall Clark. He forced one and recovered another for a touchdown.

There were also a few firsts: first touchdown catch for junior wide receiver Caleb Martin and first interception of the season for senior linebacker Jacob Gross. And sophomore Kai’Reese Pendergrass, who returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown at Clinton last week, stopped a Dobyns-Bennett drive on Blankenship Field on Friday with an interception in the end zone in the third quarter.

The Indians (1-1, 0-0 Region 1-6A) dominated in total yards in the non-region game: 579 to 391. They also had 21 first downs to Oak Ridge’s nine.

But Dobyns-Bennett lost four fumbles and gave up two interceptions, and penalties (11 for 101 yards) also hurt the Indians. The Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 Region 3-Class 5A) had no turnovers.

Much of the buzz after the game focused on two highlight-reel catches by Higgins, who was double-teamed on both. [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Clinton, II

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Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) had two touchdown catches, two interceptions that the Wildcats converted into touchdowns, and a scoring punt return, pictured here, that was called back because of a block in the back during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins is pictured above with seniors Chase Kimbro (10) and Wilson Hammer (52). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—The Oak Ridge Wildcats opened the regular football season with a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday. Here is the second of two sets of photos by John Huotari.

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Oak Ridge senior Chase Kimbro (10) runs with the football during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Blocking for Kimbro is sophomore Jordan Graham (22). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

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Oak Ridge senior Jacob Gross (7) blocks Clinton senior Demarea Whitt (4), a former Wildcat, for Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) during a punt return for a score during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. The touchdown was called back because of a block in the back. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

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Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Clinton, I

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Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) congratulates sophomore Jordan Graham (22) after Graham scored on a two-yard touchdown catch, helping to give the Wildcats a 21-0 lead at Clinton at 2:29 in the first quarter on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Also pictured is junior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—The Oak Ridge Wildcats opened the regular football season with a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday. Here is the first of two sets of photos by John Huotari.

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Oak Ridge senior Chase Kimbro (10), at center, runs with the football during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Blocking for Kimbro are sophomore Jordan Graham (22), left, and senior Jordan Smith (55). At front left trying to tackle Kimbro is Clinton senior J’Quan Thomas (5). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

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In his first varsity start, Oak Ridge junior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2), pictured above on ground at center, was 5-for-5 passing with no interceptions and three touchdown throws. Stewart also had a rushing touchdown, pictured above, during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Football stats: Oak Ridge vs. Clinton

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Oak Ridge senior wide receiver and cornerback Tee Higgins (5) makes one of two interceptions during a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Also pictured are senior Chase Kimbro (10) and sophomore Caelan Thompson (32). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—The Oak Ridge Wildcats opened the regular football season with a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday. Here are preliminary statistics by Mark Haste.

TEAM STATISTICS

Oak Ridge

Clinton

FIRST DOWNS

8

 Total 15

8

 By rushing 7

0

 By passing 8

0

 By penalty 0
RUSHING

29

 Attempts 34

313

 Yards gained 177

31

 Yards lost 24

282

 Net yards 153
PASSING

5

 Completions 14

5

 Attempts 28

100.00%

 Percentage 50.00%

0

 Intercepted 4

104

 Net yards 131
TOTAL OFFENSE

386

 Net yards 284
PUNTS

1

 Attempts 3

31

 Average 31
RETURN YARDS

24

 Punt returns 0

126

 Kickoff returns 15

45

 Interception returns 0
FUMBLES

3

 Total 3

2

 Fumbles lost 1
PENALTIES

6

 Total 4

45

 Yards lost 35

[Read more…]

Graham, Higgins combine for five touchdowns in 56-21 rout at Clinton

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Oak Ridge senior wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a 17-yard pass from junior quarterback Johnny Stewart before falling backward into the end zone for a touchdown near the left pylon, putting the Wildcats ahead of the Clinton Dragons 42-7 with 2:57 left in the first half at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins is defended here on his second TD catch by Clinton senior J’Quan Thomas (5).

 

CLINTON—Senior Tee Higgins and sophomore Jordan Graham scored five of Oak Ridge’s eight touchdowns in a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday.

A wide receiver, Higgins scored on Oak Ridge’s opening play less than one minute into the season-opening game.

He scored again late in the first half with a leaping goal-line catch of a high, arcing pass from junior quarterback Johnny Stewart, who was 5-for-5 passing for three touchdowns, no interceptions, and one rushing touchdown in his first varsity start.

Higgins—a Clemson commitment who also plays cornerback—also had two interceptions that led to Oak Ridge touchdowns. And he became the all-time leader in career receiving yards for Oak Ridge.

Graham, a speedy running back who is also on the high school track team, scored three times for the Wildcats.

The Dragons turned over the ball five times, and the Wildcats converted four of those turnovers into touchdowns. Two of the turnovers were Higgins’ interceptions of Clinton’s sophomore quarterback, Luke Harrison.

Another was an interception by Oak Ridge senior linebacker and defensive playmaker Kyndall Clark, who set up the Wildcats’ sixth touchdown from inside the Clinton 20 with about three minutes left in the first half. [Read more…]

Thackerson, record-setting Clinton QB, commits to Carson-Newman

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Chase Kimbro and Clinton Dragons Tyler Thackerson

Clinton senior quarterback Tyler Thackerson (8) is tackled from behind by Oak Ridge junior linebacker Chase Kimbro (10) during a 24-13 win for the Wildcats in the 2015 season-opener at home on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. A record-setting quarterback at Clinton, Thackerson has committed to play football at Carson-Newman. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton High School quarterback Tyler Thackerson has announced that he has committed to play college football at Carson-Newman. Thackerson made the decision last week, but he made it public on Tuesday.

A three-year starter at Clinton, Thackerson holds virtually every Dragon passing record, and in his career, he threw for more than 9,500 yards and accounted for a total of 104 passing and rushing touchdowns.

This season, Thackerson threw for more than 3,900 yards and 32 touchdowns, while also scoring 13 times via the ground game.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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