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Wildcats name new football coach

Posted at 5:25 pm January 24, 2023
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Image by Oak Ridge Schools

Oak Ridge football has a new coach, Derek Rang.

Rang has an overall head coaching record of 86-29 at Powell, Dresden, Gatlinburg-Pittman, and Lewis County High Schools, and he coached the Dresden Lions when they won the 2016 state championship, according to Oak Ridge Schools.

5Star Preps reported that Rang, 28, resigned after one season at Lewis in west Tennessee, where he had an 11-2 record in 2022.

Oak Ridge Schools said each school coached by Rang has advanced to the TSSAA playoff quarterfinals or beyond, and Rang has won 18 postseason games as a head coach.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: coach, Derek Ran, Derek Rang, Joe Gaddis, Oak Ridge football, Oak Ridge Schools, Scott Cummings

Cummings named football coach

Posted at 11:09 am December 13, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Scott Cummings, who led West to a Class 5A state championship in 2014, has been named head football coach at Oak Ridge High School.

Joe Gaddis announced his retirement as Oak Ridge football coach in November. He has been named interim athletic director.

Oak Ridge Schools announced the appointment of Cummings, who will replace Gaddis as football coach, on Monday.

A press release said Cummings was named head football coach at Knoxville West High School in 2002.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Cleveland High School, football coach, Halls High School, Joe Gaddis, Oak Ridge High School, Scott Cummings, West High School

AD Mullins retires; Gaddis named interim AD

Posted at 3:38 pm December 3, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis had his 300th football coaching win when the Wildcats beat Clinton 42-6 on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Gaddis, center, is pictured above with former Oak Ridge High School Principal Martin McDonald, left, and ORHS Athletic Director Mike Mullins. (File photo courtesy Martin McDonald)

Oak Ridge High School Athletic Director Mike Mullins is retiring, and football coach Joe Gaddis, who announced his retirement as coach in November, will serve as interim athletic director.

Mullins’ decision to retire was announced Wednesday by ORHS Principal Garfield Adams. Gaddis’ appointment as interim athletic director was announced Thursday.

“As athletic director, Mullins was responsible for leading an athletic department that is committed to excellence both in the classroom and in competition,” Adams said in a letter to families. Mullins led several capital improvement projects, Adams said, including the multi-million-dollar revitalization of Blankenship Field and the design of Wildcat Arena, which was part of a $61 million renovation of ORHS.

“This state-of-the-art facility is home to the Wildcat basketball and volleyball teams and is one of the finest venues in the state,” Adams said.

Other facility upgrades completed during Mullins’ tenure include the Pro2Serve Soccer Complex, a renovated weight room, and many locker room enhancements.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: athletic director, Blankenship Field, coach, Garfield Adams, Joe Gaddis, Mike Mullins, Oak Ridge High School, ORHS, Wildcat Arena, Wildcats

Gaddis: 48 years, a state championship, 300+ wins

Posted at 11:28 am November 16, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis talks to the Wildcats football team after a 42-6 win over Clinton on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. It was Gaddis’ 300th coaching win. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

After 48 years coaching, a state championship, and more than 300 wins, Oak Ridge football coach Joe Gaddis is retiring.

On Tuesday, Gaddis, who has the most wins of any Oak Ridge coach and is among the top in the state, said he made the decision to retire during the past few weeks.

“I think coaches just know when it’s time,” he said. “You just kind of know.”

Oak Ridge High School Principal Garfield Adams said Gaddis has an overall record of 334 wins and 146 losses, and he is one of only three active coaches in the state of Tennessee with 300 wins.

“At Oak Ridge High School, Coach Gaddis holds a record of 196 wins and 58 losses, making him the winningest coach in Oak Ridge history and the eighth winningest coach in Tennessee football,” Adams said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: coach, Garfield Adams, Jeff Miner, Joe Gaddis, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge High School, Wildcats

Wildcats open playoffs at McMinn Co.

Posted at 10:03 am November 5, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge sophomore De’Jauvis Dozier (22) runs for a season-high 210 yards during a 48-21 win over Campbell County at home on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. At back left is junior lineman Zac Snyder (70) and, at right, junior quarterback Hayden Tarwater (8). (Photo by Barry Houchin)

After struggling this season, the Oak Ridge Wildcats gained confidence headed into the football playoffs tonight with a 48-21 win over region rival Campbell County last Friday.

“This was our best game in a lot of ways, for a lot of reasons,” Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis told his huddled team on Blankenship Field after the victory over the Cougars (6-4, 1-3 Region 3-5A). “That’s a good way to finish the regular season.”

The 48 points was the most scored by Oak Ridge (3-7, 3-2) this season.

The Wildcats also had the most rushing yards and total yards of the season, by far, against the Cougars on Friday. They ran for 366 yards and totaled 517.

“This is kind of a breakout game,” Gaddis said. “We were able to run the ball.”

Oak Ridge sophomore De’Javius Dozier broke tackles and scored three touchdowns as he ran for more than 200 yards, the best performance of any Wildcat this season. He also ran for three touchdowns. Dozier’s previous team-high rushing total was 130 yards at Lenoir City on September 3.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Brandon Heyward, Campbell County, Cougars, Ethan Hewitt, football, Hayden Tarwater, Hunter White, Jacob Berven, Jai Hunley, Joe Gaddis, Kendall Jackson, Oak Ridge, Wildcats

Wildcats lose to undefeated Greeneville

Posted at 11:27 pm October 8, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Note: This story was updated at 12:30 a.m.

Oak Ridge lost 35-9 to the undefeated Greeneville football team on Friday.

The Wildcats (2-5, 2-1 Region 3-5A) made some improvements. But it wasn’t enough against the Greene Devils, who remained undefeated overall (8-0) and in Region 1-4A (4-0).

Greeneville, about 90 minutes east of Oak Ridge, scored four of their five touchdowns in the first half. Junior quarterback Brady Quillen run for three touchdowns and threw for two, according to The Greeneville Sun.

The Wildcats scored their only touchdown about halfway through the third quarter.

Oak Ridge was visiting Greeneville for the first time since 1947, according to Wildcats broadcaster David Clary, who operates Prepradio.com.

Both teams have played in recent state championship football games. Oak Ridge finished as state runner-up in Class 5A in 2020, while Greeneville won the state championship in Class 4A in 2018.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Beavers, Brady Quillen, Brandon Heyward, David Clary, De'Jauvis Dozier, DeSean Bishop, Efrain Rodriguez, Greene Devils, Greeneville, Hayden Tarwater, Jaden Stevenson-Williams, Jakobi Gillespie, Joe Gaddis, Karns, Kendall Jackson, Mark and Shawna Haste, Mason Gudger, Oak Ridge, Prepradio.com, Wildcats

Powell dominates Oak Ridge

Posted at 2:27 pm October 2, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Powell dominated Oak Ridge offensively in a matchup of the top two teams in the region on Friday. 

On their way to the 38-7 win, the Panthers (6-1, 3-0 Region 3-5A) passed and ran for 387 yards total. 

The Wildcats (2-4, 2-1), meanwhile, were held to just 83 yards.

“We obviously still have a lot of work to do offensively,” Oak Ridge coach Joe Gaddis told his team after the football game. 

Oak Ridge’s one touchdown was scored on a fourth-down interception picked off in the middle of the field and returned 71 yards by junior Jayden Williams. 

Powell’s touchdowns included a two-yard run by a top national prospect, senior defensive lineman Walter Nolen, who is listed as 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Premium Content, Sports Tagged With: Adarius Redmond, Ayden Green, Brandon Heyward, football, Hayden Tarwater, Jarvis Stockton, Jayden Williams, Joe Gaddis, Jordyn Potts, Oak Ridge, Panthers, Powell, Walter Nolen, Wildcats

Joe Gaddis inducted into Tennessee Football Coaches Hall of Fame

Posted at 9:42 pm December 3, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Joe Gaddis

Joe Gaddis (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge football coach Joe Gaddis was inducted into the Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday.

It was the association’s fifth Hall of Fame class, and it includes a total of seven members. Besides Gaddis, the other six Hall of Fame football members in this year’s class were Bobby Alston, Jim Heinz, Hershel Moore, Bob Polston, and Dave Rider.

The seventh member recognized by the Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame was the contributor of the year. This year’s inductee was former Chattanooga Times Free Press sports writer and Chattanooga area television personality Stump Martin.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on Saturday, December 1, at the Life Church in Cookeville. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Bob Polston, Bobby Alston, Dave Rider, Hall of Fame, Hershel Moore, Jim Heinz, Joe Gaddis, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge football, Stump Martin, Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Updated: Oak Ridge football season ends with quarterfinal loss to Catholic

Posted at 11:33 pm November 16, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Jordan Graham (8) runs during a 20-14 loss to Farragut on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. (Photo by Barry Houchin)

Oak Ridge senior Jordan Graham (8), pictured here during the Sept. 7, 2018, game against Farragut, ran for four touchdowns during a 42-40 quarterfinal loss to Catholic on Blankenship Field on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. (File photo by Barry Houchin)

 

Note This story was last updated with photos at 3 p.m. Nov. 17.

For the second year in a row, the Oak Ridge football season ended with a state quarterfinal loss to Knoxville Catholic on Blankenship Field.

Last year’s final score was 37-28 in favor of the Fighting Irish. Catholic went on to win the Class 5A state championship.

This year’s final score in Oak Ridge was closer, 42-40, but Catholic prevailed again.

The Wildcats (9-3) led by 13 points, 27-14, at halftime of the Class 5A quarterfinal on Friday. They widened their lead to 33-14 early in the third quarter when senior Jordan Graham scored his fourth rushing touchdown, his second four-TD performance in two weeks.

But after that score, the Fighting Irish (10-3) rallied with three touchdowns on three drives to take a 35-33 lead at 1:26 in the third quarter. They tacked on one more touchdown early in the fourth quarter to widen their lead to 42-33. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Adam Jones, Byrn Tucker, Caelan Thompson, Catholic, Class 5A quarterfinal, Cody Duncan, Cooper Mays, Drew Hicks, Fighting Irish, Herbert Booker, Jack Jancek, Jack Replogle, Jacob Adams, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Jordan Graham, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Oak Ridge, Shemar Smith, Stiles Moore, Tommy Winton, Tre Jackson, Wildcats

Oak Ridge shuts out Rhea County in first round of playoffs

Posted at 10:04 pm November 2, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge shut out Rhea County 42-0 in a first-round Class 5A playoff game on Blankenship Field on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. Above, coach Joe Gaddis talks to the Wildcats after the game. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge shut out Rhea County 42-0 in a first-round Class 5A playoff game on Blankenship Field on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. Above, coach Joe Gaddis talks to the Wildcats after the game. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10 a.m. Nov. 3.

Oak Ridge shut out Rhea County 42-0 in the first round of the Class 5A football playoffs on Blankenship Field on Friday.

“That was a complete game,” Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis said. “It couldn’t have been more timely. No one has beaten them (Rhea County) like this.”

The Wildcats (9-2), a Region 3 team, advance to play at Soddy-Daisy (6-4), a Region 4 team, in the second round at 7 p.m. next Friday (November 9). Soddy-Daisy eliminated Clinton (a 4-7 Region 3 team) in another first-round game this Friday.

Winners of the second-round games advance to the state quarterfinals. The winner of the Oak Ridge-Soddy-Daisy game will play the winner of Catholic-Fulton in a quarterfinal game on Friday, November 16. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Camden Mlekodaj, Class 5A football playoffs, football, Golden Eagles, Herbert Booker, Jack Replogle, Jacob Adams, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Jordan Graham, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Mark and Shawna Haste, Mitchell Gibbons, Oak Ridge, Rhea County, Shemar Smith, Soddy-Daisy, T.J. Johnson, Tre Jackson, Wildcats

Updated: After trailing Powell in first half, Wildcats take lead in second

Posted at 11:33 pm October 19, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge trailed Powell in the first half on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, but took the lead and a 28-21 win in the second half.

Oak Ridge trailed Powell in the first half on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, but took the lead and a 28-21 win in the second half.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:45 a.m. Oct. 20.

Oak Ridge trailed Powell in the first half on Blankenship Field on Friday but took the lead and a 28-21 win in the second half.

It was the second week in a row that Oak Ridge (8-1, 5-0 Region 3-5A) struggled in the first half but played better in the second. Last week, Oak Ridge led Clinton 24-21 at halftime but then scored 30 points in the second half to beat the Dragons 54-28.

The Wildcats will meet the only other undefeated team in the region, Fulton (also 8-1, 5-0), at 7 p.m. Thursday in Oak Ridge for the region championship. It’s the last regular-season game.

Powell (1-8, 1-5 after forfeiting six wins due to an ineligible player) had a 21-7 lead over Oak Ridge halfway through the second quarter on Friday. But the Wildcats narrowed the lead to 21-14 on a two-yard run by senior Jordan Graham with 1:20 remaining before halftime. The Wildcats then scored two more touchdowns in the second half while holding the Panthers scoreless. [Read more…]

Filed Under: High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Andrew Shoopman, Bailor Walker, Caelan Thompson, Camden Mlekodaj, Duece Shreve, Fulton, Herbert Booker, Isaiah Johnson, Isiah Washington, Jack Replogle, Jacob Adams, Jacob Kesterson, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Jordan Graham, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Luke Harrison, Mark and Shawna Haste, Matthew Calhoun, Oak Ridge, Panthers, Powell, Riley Bryant, Shemar Smith, T.J. Johnson, Tyrell Romano, Walker Trusley, Wildcats

Football: Oak Ridge Wildcats 6-1 so far this season

Posted at 9:48 pm October 1, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Wildcats walk down the stairs at Jack Armstrong Stadium before a 41-12 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (Photo by Barry Houchin)

The Oak Ridge Wildcats walk down the stairs at Jack Armstrong Stadium before a 41-12 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (Photo by Barry Houchin)

 

The Oak Ridge football team is 6-1 so far this season.

The Wildcats have had three wins and no losses in Region 3-5A. They have defeated Campbell County at home and West and Karns on the road.

Their other three wins were in non-regional games, with victories at Hardin Valley, at home against Dobyns-Bennett, and at Sevier County.

Their one loss, a non-regional game, was to Farragut on Blankenship Field.

All three games remaining in the regular season are regional games: Clinton (1-5, 0-2); Powell (6-1, 3-1); and Fulton (5-1, 2-0).

Oak Ridge is off this week. They play at Clinton on Friday, October 12. Their final two games, against Powell and Fulton, will be at home on October 19 and 25.

Here is a summary of the first seven games. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Admirals, Barry Houchin, Beavers, Blankenship Field, Brady Hutson, Brayden Hurst, Cam Burden, Camden Mlekodaj, Cameron Williamson, Campbell County, Cedarius Bost, Chase Jenkins, Clinton, Colin Russell, Daniel Bethel, Daniel Kitts, David Clary, Devlin Dukes, Dobyns-Bennett, football, Fulton, Gavin Wilkinson, Grayson Vaughn, Hardin Valley, hawks, Herbert Booker, Ian Hicks, Indians, Isaiah Johnson, Isaiah Mattress, Jack Armstrong Stadium, Jack Replogle, Jacob Adams, Jacquez Johnson, Jawaun Moore, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Jonathan Stewart, Jordan Gonzalez, Jordan Graham, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Karns, Kelton Gunn, Kyle Carter, Landon Addington, Lendon Redwine, Luther Simmons, Mark and Shawna Haste, Matthew Calhoun, Mitchell Gibbons, Oak Ridge, Powell, Preston Bowman, rebels, Region 3-5A, Sevier County, Shemar Smith, Smoky Bears, Tanner Corum, Thomas Harper, Tre Jackson, Trey Rowe, Tyrell Romano, West, Wildcats

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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