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Cherokees ends Wildcats’ season

Posted at 2:52 pm November 6, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Jacob Berven blocked a punt inside the McMinn County 10-yard line, giving the Wildcats a chance to tie the football game with about two minutes remaining.

But Oak Ridge was unable to convert that blocked punt into a score, and the Wildcats’ season ended in a 24-17 first-round playoff loss to the Cherokees on Friday. The Wildcats were unable to score when McMinn County stopped Oak Ridge quarterback Hayden Tarwater two yards short of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal play with 3.2 seconds left.

The season-ending defeat came a week after the Wildcats played their best game, a 48-21 win over region rival Campbell County.

Oak Ridge got credit for not giving up this season, even in the final minutes, despite their 3-8 losing record.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Brian Kelley, Caden Hester, Cherokees, Elijah Rogers, football, Hayden Tarwater, Jacob Berven, Jayden Miller, Kendall Jackson, Mark and Shawna Haste, McMinn County, 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

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

Nine Wildcats score in 49-3 homecoming win over Karns

Posted at 6:55 pm September 30, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Kai'Reese Pendergrass (12) is tackled by Karns sophomore Trey Hawkins (7) during a 49-3 homecoming win for the Wildcats on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Also pictured are Oak Ridge seniors Jaycen McGhee (6) and Johnny Stewart (2). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Kai’Reese Pendergrass (12) is tackled by Karns sophomore Trey Hawkins (7) during a 49-3 homecoming win for the Wildcats on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Also pictured are Oak Ridge seniors Jaycen McGhee (6) and Johnny Stewart (2). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Nine Oak Ridge Wildcats scored in a 49-3 rout of Karns in the homecoming football game on Blankenship Field on Friday.

Seven different Wildcats scored touchdowns, and two kickers added extra points.

It was the third region win for Oak Ridge (5-2, 3-0 Region 3-5A) and the third straight win for the Wildcats.

The three remaining regular-season games are all region games:

  • Clinton (2-4, 0-2) at home on Friday, October 13;
  • at Powell (5-2, 2-2) on Friday, October 20; and
  • at Fulton (5-1, 2-0) on Friday, October 27.

The Wildcats do not play this coming week.

Oak Ridge finished with a season-high 324 yards rushing on 33 carries and five touchdowns on Friday. The previous high was 112 yards rushing against Farragut on September 8. That was the only other time this season that the Wildcats have had more than 100 yards rushing in a game. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Adarius Cox, Beavers, Blankenship Field, Brady Hutson, Caelan Thompson, Caleb Martin, Carson McGhee, Carter Alexander, Cobe Angel, Daniel Kitts, Edson Castro, football, Herbert Booker, homecoming, Jaylen Heyward, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Karns, Mark and Shawna Haste, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Region 3-5A, Teahzjawon Hodge-Harper, Trey Hawkins, Tyrell Romano

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)

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…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Adarius Simpson, Admirals, Alec Keathley, Blankenship Field, Braden Collins, Caleb Martin, Cam Burden, Campbell County, Carson McGhee, Charlie Martinez, Cobe Angel, Colin Russell, Cougars, David Clary, Dobyns-Bennett, Farragut, football, Gavin Wilkinson, Hardin Valley, Herbert Booker, Isaiah Gibbs, Jack Armstrong Stadium, Jack Replogle, Jackson Snodgrass, Jacob Adams, Jake Evans, Jared Galloway, Jaycen McGhee, Jeffrey Bersch, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Kyle Carter, Luther Simmons, Mark and Shawna Haste, Oak Ridge High School Wildband, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Preston Wardell, rebels, Region 3-5A, Sevier County, Smoky Bears, TJ Johnson, Trariq Hardin, West, Zach Rutherford

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

Posted at 12:07 pm October 2, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-karns-football-sept-30-2016

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…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Adarius Simpson, Blankenship Field, Caleb Jackson, Campbell County, Cartez Campbell, Chase Kimbro, Cherokees, Daniel Kitts, football, Herbert Booker, Jacob Gross, James Joseph "Joey" Kocak, Jaret Miner, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Julio Culiat, Karns Beavers, Kyndall Clark, Lenoir City, Mark and Shawna Haste, McMinn County, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Panthers, Sevier County, Tee Higgins, Tre Jackson, Webb

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Classifieds

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...]

Public notice: Draft environmental assessment for Y-12 Development Organization at Horizon Center

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

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