Dobyns-Bennett Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Moody of Anderson County finishes third in state in cross country

Posted at 2:23 am November 20, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Maddy Moody, a junior at Anderson County High School, finished third in the state in the Division I Large Schools girls’ cross country 5k championship race at Percy Warner Park in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Maddy Moody, a junior at Anderson County High School, finished third in the state in cross country in the championship race in Nashville this month.

Moody improved 13 spots from last year, when she finished 16th as a sophomore in the girls’ Class AAA state cross country championship meet at Percy Warner Park in Nashville.

Moody finished the 5,000-meter, or 5k, race in 18:51.53 this year in the Division I Large Schools category. That compared to 19:30.59 last year in what was previously the Division I Class AAA category.

“It’s a huge improvement,” said Derek Wallace, who coaches cross country and boys’ basketball at Anderson County. “You don’t often see those types of improvements down there.”

Moody normally races with a pacing watch, but she handed it to her mother this year, Wallace said. [Read more…]

Football: Wildcats improve to 4-2 with win over Sevier County

Posted at 2:00 am September 26, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior linebacker Adarius Simpson (24) makes a tackle against West at home on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. In the background is senior linebacker Cobe Angel (22). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

The Oak Ridge Wildcats improved to 4-2 for the season with a 30-14 win over Sevier County at home on Blankenship Field on Friday.

The Wildcats are now 2-0 in Region 3-5A. Their remaining four games are all region games.

After their season-opening win at home against Hardin Valley, the Wildcats:

lost 28-25 in a non-region game at Dobyns-Bennett in Kingsport on August 25,
won 17-15 in their first region game at Campbell County on September 1,
were shut out 41-0 at Farraugt, a non-region opponent, on September 8, and
won their second region game, 23-13, over West at home on September 15.

The win over Sevier County this past Friday night was the second straight win for the Wildcats.

Here are the four games remaining, all Region 3-5A games:

at home against Karns (2-4, 0-3) on Friday, September 29;
at home against Clinton (2-3, 0-1) on Friday, October 13;
at Powell (5-1, 2-1) on Friday, October 20; and
at Fulton (4-1, 2-0) on Friday, October 27.

All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Here are highlights of the season so far: [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Dobyns-Bennett

Posted at 5:58 pm September 22, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Pictured above is Oak Ridge senior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2) at Dobyns-Bennett in Kingsport on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. (Photo by Allen Greene Photography)

Here are photos by Allen Greene Photography from the Oak Ridge and Dobyns-Bennett football game in Kingsport on Friday, August 25. Oak Ridge lost 28-25 in this non-region game, the second of the season. [Read more…]

Football: Wildcats win when Hardin Valley misses extra point in final minute

Posted at 10:13 pm August 19, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge quarterback Johnny Stewart (2) runs against Hardin Valley during a 21-20 win on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Wildcats won a close one-point game against Hardin Valley Academy on Friday night when the Hawks missed an extra point with 21.5 seconds left in the season opener.

The Hawks scored in the final minute after Oak Ridge junior linebacker Jeremy Mitchell dropped a Hardin Valley player in the backfield, and the football came loose. There was a scramble for the ball near the goal line, and it squirted into the end zone, where Hardin Valley recovered it for a touchdown. The Hawks then trailed by just one point, 21-20.

They had a chance to tie the game at 21 with an extra point, and they had a chance to take the lead with a two-point conversion.

A few extra point attempts by Hardin Valley were waived off due to penalties, including one on a try that was no good and bounced down to Blankenship Field off the crossbar on an Oak Ridge offsides.

The final attempt went wide left, and Oak Ridge kept its 21-20 lead with 21.5 seconds remaining.

Hardin Valley, a Class 6A team, used an onsides kick to try for one final score in the final seconds of the non-region game. But Oak Ridge, a Class 5A team, recovered and only had to take a knee to run out the clock. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge travels to Science Hill after Region 2 championship loss

Posted at 11:13 pm May 18, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge will travel to Science Hill for a Class AAA sectional on Saturday after losing to Farragut in the Region 2-AAA championship game at home on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Pictured above is junior midfielder Casey Nigh (12). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 11 a.m. May 19.

Oak Ridge will travel to Science Hill for a Class AAA sectional on Saturday after losing to Farragut in the Region 2-AAA championship game at home on Thursday.

The Admirals beat the Wildcats 2-1 at the Pro2Serve Oak Ridge Soccer Complex at Oak Ridge High School.

Science Hill, in Johnson City, was the the Region 1-AAA champion. The Hilltoppers beat Dobyns-Bennett of Kingsport 3-0 in the Region 1 championship on Thursday.

The winner of Saturday’s sectional game between Oak Ridge and Science Hill will advance to the state Class AAA soccer tournament. The season will be over for the loser. [Read more…]

Soccer: So far, Oak Ridge undefeated in district

Posted at 1:32 pm April 21, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior forward Austin Vinyard (9), battling Daniel Van Buren (25) of Powell here, scored two goals against the Panthers in a 6-0 win at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Pictured at right is freshman forward Warren Stetzel (23). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

With two district games remaining, the Oak Ridge Wildcats are undefeated in District 3-AAA. The Wildcats improved to 8-3-2 overall at Karns on Thursday and to 6-0 in District 3-AAA.

Oak Ridge defeated Karns 4-1 on Thursday and, in their previous district game, beat Powell at home 6-0 on Tuesday, April 11.

The two remaining district games are at Central on Monday, April 24, and at Campbell County at 6 p.m. Monday, May 1.

In the meantime, Oak Ridge plays Hardin Valley Academy at home in a rescheduled non-district game that starts at 7 p.m. today (Friday, April 21). [Read more…]

Young, Gibson lead Wildcats with Bush, Higgins out

Posted at 12:23 am December 28, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

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Oak Ridge senior Tyshawn Young (4) led the Wildcats with a game-high 29 points during a 64-56 win over Science Hill in the first round of the Arby’s Classic in Bristol on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016. (Photo by Allen Greene/TriCitiesSports.com)

BRISTOL—Oak Ridge senior Tyshawn Young scored a game-high 29 points and senior Anthony Gibson added 17 as the Wildcats beat Science Hill in the first round of the Arby’s Classic in Bristol on Tuesday.

It was the second time Oak Ridge defeated the Hilltoppers this month. They also won 82-72 in the Champion Chevrolet Shootout at Science Hill in Johnson City on December 17.

In the earlier game, the undefeated Wildcats (12-0, 5-0 District 3-AAA) played without standout senior Tee Higgins because his right shoulder was inflamed.

On Tuesday, they again played without Higgins. He is in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America Football Game on New Year’s Day. But they also played without another top senior, E.J. Bush, who injured his knee during the earlier Science Hill game and will not play in the Arby’s Classic basketball tournament this week.

Without those two in the lineup, other players are expected to step up, including some sophomore bench players. Sophomore Herbert Booker started for Bush Tuesday. [Read more…]

Bush, Higgins will not play in Arby’s Classic this week

Posted at 8:13 pm December 26, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

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Oak Ridge senior E.J. Bush (2), pictured above, led the Wildcats with 20 points during a 76-56 win over Cleveland in the Champion Chevrolet Shootout at Science Hill High School in Johnson City on Friday, Dec, 16, 2016. (File photo by Robert Kell)

Two of the top players for the Oak Ridge Wildcats, E.J. Bush and Tee Higgins, will not play in the Arby’s Classic in Bristol this week. It’s a basketball tournament that has featured dramatic games, record-setting performances, and close wins—and losses.

Bush, a 6-foot-4 senior who was injured in the 82-72 win over Science Hill in the Champion Chevrolet Shootout in Johnson City on December 17, has a knee injury. It’s not clear how long he might be unable to play, or if he’ll travel with the team to the Arby’s Classic this week.

Bush can score 16-20 points per game and pull down six to 10 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Higgins, a wide receiver who has committed to Clemson, is leaving Tuesday for the 10th annual Under Armour All-America Football Game in Orlando on January 1. That game features more than 90 of the nation’s best senior high school football players. Besides Higgins, they include wide receiver Amari Rodgers of Catholic—he’s also committed to Clemson—and punter Joe Doyle of Farragut. [Read more…]

Volleyball: Hardin Valley eliminates Oak Ridge in Region 2 semifinal

Posted at 10:30 pm October 13, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

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Oak Ridge lost in three sets to Hardin Valley during the Region 2-AAA semifinal at Farragut on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. Pictured above is senior Alex Sherles (25). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

FARRAGUT—Oak Ridge kept it close through three sets during a Region 2-AAA tournament semifinal at Farragut High School on Tuesday, but their effort wasn’t enough to hold back Hardin Valley, which eliminated the Lady Wildcats and advanced to the regional championship volleyball game against Farragut.

Oak Ridge and Hardin Valley were usually within a point or two and they were often tied, with the Lady Wildcats (20-11, 8-0 District 3-AAA) sometimes ahead. But the Lady Hawks (30-8-1, 6-2 District 4-AAA) had the lead at the end of all three sets, when it mattered most. The final scores were 25-21, 26-24, and 25-22.

“They played their hearts out,” Oak Ridge Coach David Kolodney said. “It’s a matter of inches. It’s a matter of a couple of points.”

The Lady Wildcats, who played without senior Stella Powell on Tuesday, fought through injuries and rotations this season, and played as a team, Kolodney said. [Read more…]

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

Posted at 2:30 pm August 28, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

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

Posted at 1:59 pm August 28, 2016
By John Huotari 4 Comments

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

Posted at 3:15 pm August 27, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

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…]