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Football: Higgins named to ALL-USA Offense Second Team

Posted at 6:09 pm December 23, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-Higgins-TD-Catch-Clinton-Thomas-Aug-18-2016-Web-Cropped

USA TODAY High School Sports has named Oak Ridge senior wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Offense Second Team. Above, Higgins 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 on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

USA TODAY High School Sports has named Oak Ridge senior wide receiver Tee Higgins to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Offense Second Team.

Higgins, who is 6-foot-5 and 191 pounds, had 64 catches for 945 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season this year and first-round playoff game against Walker Valley, which ended Oak Ridge’s season. He became the all-time leader in career receiving yards for the Wildcats during the season-opener against Clinton.

He was named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Class 5A Back of the Year for the second year in a row in November. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: ALL-USA Offense Second Team, American Family Insurance ALL-USA Offense Second Team, Clemson, JaCoby Stevens, Tee Higgins, Trey Smith, Ty Chandler, USA TODAY High School Sports

In battle of two undefeated teams, Oak Ridge emerges with win

Posted at 2:15 pm December 17, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-ej-bush-levert-smith-cleveland-dec-16-2016

Oak Ridge senior E.J. Bush (2) 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. (Photo by Robert Kell)

 

JOHNSON CITY—Oak Ridge and Cleveland were both undefeated top-ranked teams before they played in Johnson City on Friday, and only the Wildcats remained undefeated afterward. Oak Ridge beat Cleveland 76-56 in the Champion Chevrolet Shootout at Science Hill High School in Johnson City.

The Wildcats are now 10-0 overall and 5-0 in District 3-AAA.

The Blue Raiders are now 11-1 overall and 4-0 in District 5-AAA.

Like the earlier girls’ game, the boys’ game was closer in the first half: 16-15 after the first quarter, and 32-30 at halftime. But Oak Ridge had a 20-6 run through most of the third quarter and an 8-0 run in the last part of the fourth quarter. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Aaron Green, Anthony Gibson, Blue Raiders, Champion Chevrolet Shootout, Cleveland, E.J. Bush, Fulton, Herbert Booker, KK Curry, Levert Smith, Oak Ridge, Robert Kell, Science Hill, Science Hill High School, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young, Wildcats

Higgins named Mr. Football for second year in a row

Posted at 4:32 pm November 28, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

tee-higgins-and-amari-rodgers-mr-football-awards-nissan-stadium-nov-28-2016

Oak Ridge High School senior Tee Higgins, right, was named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Class 5A Back of the Year during a ceremony at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. Also pictured are Amari Rodgers of Catholic, center, Class 4A Back of the Year, and Cordarrian Richardson of Trezevant, Class 2A Back of the Year. (Photo by ORHS Principal Martin McDonald)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 5:05 p.m.

Tee Higgins, a senior at Oak Ridge High School, won a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award for the second year in a row.

Higgins, a Clemson commitment, won the award on Monday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. He’s the first Oak Ridge football player to win the award in back-to-back years.

Other area players that won Mr. Football awards in Division I were Josh Silvey of Greenback (Class 1A Lineman), Tykee Kellogg of Alcoa (Class 3A Back), Cade Mays of Catholic (Class 4A Lineman), and Amari Rodgers of Catholic (Class 4A Back).

The Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards were presented to the top 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, or TSSAA, on Monday, November 28, at Nissan Stadium. The top kicker in the state, regardless of classification, was also recognized with a Mr. Football Award. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Caden Harbin, Class 5A Back of the Year, football, Greg Woofter, Jacob Murprhee, Jordan Mason, Mr. Football, Oak Ridge High School, Spencer Gulmire, Tee Higgins, Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, Tennessee Titans Mr. Football, TSSAA, Wildcats

Tee Higgins will play basketball this year

Posted at 6:51 pm November 18, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-boys-basketball-2016

Pictured above from left are Oak Ridge senior basketball players Tee Higgins, Tajion Jones, Anthony Gibson, Tyshawn Young, and E.J. Bush. (Photo by Oak Ridge High School boys basketball)

 

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins will play basketball this year, his senior year.

Higgins, a Class AAA Mr. Basketball finalist last season, confirmed his decision on Friday.

“The band is officially back together for one last tour,” the Oak Ridge Wildcats basketball team posted on Twitter, sharing a picture of Higgins with seniors Tajion Jones, Anthony Gibson, Tyshawn Young, and E.J. Bush.

Higgins had earlier planned to not play basketball in order focus on football. He’s a wide receiver who has committed to Clemson. He’s a Mr. Football finalist again this year.

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound senior has been one of the most dynamic players for the Wildcats on the basketball court and, for fans, one of the funnest players to watch. Higgins played as a freshman on the 2014 runner-up team in the state championship game, and since then, he’s been a key part of the team and a regular starter and a top scorer. He had picked up basketball scholarship offers from Tennessee, Louisville, Auburn, and others. Earlier this year, he said he was no longer considering playing basketball in college, although he had considered playing both sports. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Adoptable Animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Anthony Gibson, basketball, CAK, Christian Academy of Knoxville, E.J. Bush, Lady Warriors, Lady Wildcats, Oak Ridge, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young

Higgins again a Mr. Football semifinalist

Posted at 11:32 am November 4, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-Higgins-TD-Catch-Clinton-Thomas-Aug-18-2016-Web-Cropped

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). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:30 p.m.

He won the Mr. Football award last year, and Oak Ridge High School senior Tee Higgins is a semifinalist again this year.

The semifinalists were announced by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, or TSSAA, on Friday.

Higgins is one of four semifinalists for Division I Class 5A Back of the Year. The other three semifinalists are Caden Harbin of Halls High School in Knoxville, Jordan Mason of Gallatin High School, and Jacob Murprhee of Dickson County High School.

Higgins, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who has committed to Clemson, had 59 catches for 901 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season. A wide receiver who also plays cornerback and punt returner, he’s also returned at least one interception—he had a 90-yard return against Webb—and at least two punts for touchdowns this season.

Higgins had two interceptions that led to Oak Ridge touchdowns in the season-opener against Clinton, and he became the all-time leader in career receiving yards for the Wildcats during that game.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Bernard Childress, Blankenship Field, Caden Harbin, Class 5A Back of the Year, Dickson County High School, Gallatin High School, Greg Woofter, Halls High School, Jacob Murprhee, Jordan Mason, Mike Keith, Mr. Football, Oak Ridge High School, Spencer Gulmire, Tee Higgins, Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, Tennessee Titans Mr. Football, Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards, TSSAA, Walker Valley

Higgins won’t play basketball this season in order to focus on football

Posted at 10:49 pm October 30, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

This photo is property of Allen Greene. Unauthorized use of this photo is not permitted without consent.

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins won’t play basketball for the Wildcats this season in order to focus on football. Higgins (5), who was then a junior, scored 25 points for the Wildcats in a double-overtime 87-85 quarterfinal loss to David Crockett in the Arby’s Classic basketball tournament in Bristol on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015. (Photo by Allen Greene/TriCitiesSports.com)

 

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins, a standout in football and basketball, confirmed on Sunday that he won’t play basketball for the Wildcats this season in order to focus on football.

Higgins is a wide receiver who has committed to Clemson. He had posted on Twitter on Friday that it was his decision to not play basketball this year.

For the record everyone, it was my decision not to play basketball this year.👌🏾

— Tee Higgins (@teehiggins5) October 28, 2016

Higgins, who was listed as 6’5″ and 190 pounds earlier this football season, has been one of the most dynamic players for the Wildcats on the basketball court. He has had the ability to fire up crowds with powerful dunks. (One dunk at Gibbs in December got the attention of ESPN.) Higgins played as a freshman on the 2014 runner-up team in the state championship game, and since then, he’s been a key part of the team and a regular starter, with some memorable clutch free throws and three-point shots in big basketball games.

Higgins was regularly one of the top scorers for the Wildcats, and he was one of three Class AAA Mr. Basketball finalists earlier this year. (You can see the list of finalists and winners here.) He had picked up basketball scholarship offers from Tennessee, Louisville, Auburn, and others, according to PrepXtra at the Knoxville News Sentinel. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: basketball, Clemson, Mr. Basketball, Mr. Football, Oak Ridge, PrepXtra, Tee Higgins, Wildcats

Oak Ridge shuts out Campbell County to win region championship, secure home-field advantage

Posted at 11:13 pm October 29, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-campbell-county-football-tre-jackson-run-oct-27-2016-web

Oak Ridge sophomore Tre Jackson (6) ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns during a 28-0 region championship win at Campbell County on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

JACKSBORO—Oak Ridge won the regional championship and secured home-field advantage to start the playoffs with a 28-0 win at Campbell County on Thursday.

The Thursday night shutout win followed two disappointing losses this month, one at McMinn County and the other at Webb. Both games were decided by four points or less.

After giving up 393 yards at Webb a week earlier, the Wildcats (8-2, 5-0 Region 3-5A) held the Cougars to 183 yards of total offense in the regular-season finale on Thursday.

The defense played great, Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis said.

“Nobody has really shut them down like we did tonight, and no one has come close to shutting them out,” Gaddis said. “Tonight, we were ready to play.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Football, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Blankenship Field, Caleb Jackson, Campbell County, Cougars, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Justin Price, Kyndall Clark, Oak Ridge, Region 3-5A, Region 4-5A, regional championship, Tee Higgins, Tre Jackson, Walker Valley, Wildcats, Zach Rutherford

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

Posted at 9:10 am October 29, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-campbell-county-football-qb-oct-27-2016-web

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…]

Filed Under: High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Adarius Cox, Caleb Jackson, Caleb Martin, Campbell County, Chase Kimbro, Cougars, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Smith, Ka'Yon Waters, Kyndall Clark, Logan Phillips, Max Farris, Oak Ridge, Tee Higgins, Tre Jackson, Wildcats, Zach Rutherford

McMinn County gives Oak Ridge first loss, 28-24

Posted at 12:47 am October 8, 2016
By Tyler Wombles Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-wildcat-football

Note: This story was updated at 1:55 a.m

ATHENS—When the Oak Ridge Wildcats traveled to Athens on Friday night to face McMinn County, despite the Cherokees’ impressive 5-1 record, they probably were not expecting a loss.

But that’s exactly what happened, as the two teams swapped leads throughout the contest, and the Cherokees just barely escaped with the win, 28-24.

“They whipped us,” Oak Ridge head coach Joe Gaddis said. “To their credit, they whipped us. And I think they whipped us on both sides of the ball.”

McMinn County burned seven minutes and 20 seconds off the clock on their first offensive possession, with all but one of the plays designed runs, and concluded the drive with a Zane Byas touchdown carry to put the Cherokees ahead 7-0. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Adarius Simpson, Caleb Jackson, Campbell County, Carson McGhee, Cherokees, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Knoxville Webb, McMinn County, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Tee Higgins, Xavier Abernathy, Zane Byas

Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Karns

Posted at 12:58 pm October 2, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

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

Oak Ridge sophomore Kai’Reese Pendergrass (12) stretches to try to make a catch during a 56-6 win over Karns on Senior Night on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The undefeated Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the winless Karns Beavers 56-6 at home on Blankenship Field on Friday. Here are photos by Julio Culiat. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Blankenship Field, Caleb Martin, football, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Julio Culiat, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Karns, Karns Beavers, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Tee Higgins, Thomas Harper, Tre Jackson

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

Higgins scores three TDs as Wildcats roll to 35 in first quarter against Smoky Bears

Posted at 11:40 am September 26, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-tee-higgins-punt-return-1-sevier-county-football-sept-23-2016

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) returned two punts for touchdowns and he also caught a touchdown pass during a 42-10 win over Sevier County on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Senior Tee Higgins scored three touchdowns, including two on punt returns, as the Oak Ridge Wildcats jumped out to a quick 35-0 lead over Sevier County at home on Friday.

After five touchdowns in the first quarter, though, Oak Ridge only scored once more the rest of the game. Still, the scoring outburst in the first quarter was enough to give the Wildcats (6-0, 3-0 Region 3-5A) a 42-10 win.

Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis said the Wildcats started well but didn’t play well in the last three quarters.

“We weren’t good after the first quarter,” Gaddis said. “We got sloppy. We got complacent.”

When you’re ahead of a team like that, Gaddis said, you’ve got to finish them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Anthony Velasquez, Charlie Brown, Eli Woods, Jaret Miner, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Karns, Noah Webb, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Sevier County, Smoky Bears, Tee Higgins, Wildcats

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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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