A not-so-close Ads photo finish
Mighty Red Rebs roll; Farragut season ends 6-6
Jackson Fontenot (12), Farragut senior defensive back, shows the football after recovering a Maryville fumble alongside teammate Trey Nesbitt.
The bad news was a 42-0 second-round Class 6A playoff loss at undefeated Maryville Friday, Nov. 15, which ended the Admirals’ season at 6-6.
Positive Farragut plays included receptions of 16 and 11 yards from Gavin Wilkinson to Alec Keathley, both seniors; runs of 52 and 12 yards by junior Eli Purcell; and a 40-yard reception from Wilkinson to senior Alex Farkas.
With two victories against a strong Bradley Central team plus wins against rival Bearden and Johnson City Science Hill this season, “We fought so hard all year. The ups and downs, we battled through it all,” said Keathley, also a standout defensive end.
As for his fellow seniors, “I love every one of them. It’s a great group of guys, and I can’t wait to stay in touch throughout the rest of our lives,” Keathley added.
“It’s been a pleasure and an honor playing with these guys,” said Wilkinson, who ends his FHS career as the school’s all-time passing leader.
“And playing for coach (Eddie) Courtney and the coaching staff has been an honor as well,” he added.
“I’m so proud of these kids for never giving up; we’ve been through a lot of injuries this year,” Courtney said.
“These seniors never quit,” he added. “We’re not used to losing six games, but if we had quit as a football team a few weeks ago it could have gotten really ugly this year.”
