Great start, super finish to open 2023 season
Big plays, second-half defense lift FHS to dramatic win vs KDB
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Robbie Jacobs, FHS junior receiver, hauls in a 74-yard TD pass from Duncan. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com
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Senior receiver Landis Davila manages to hold on to what became the game-winning touchdown reception for Farragut, on a 23-yard pass from senior quarterback Cam Duncan with just 16 seconds to play. This broke a 17-17 deadlock versus Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett in FHS’s Eddie Courtney Stadium Friday evening, Aug. 18, for a 24-17 Ads win. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com
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Stopping an Indians runner are Ads senior defensive linemen Naao’l Kerro (56) and Matt Purvis (40). - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com
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Farragut senior Nathan Harville (left in blue) blocks a Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett defender as Roger McNeer, FHS fellow senior offensive lineman, prepares to help. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com
As baby powder was thrown into the air from Farragut’s student section on Toga Night in FHS’s Eddie Courtney Stadium, the season-opening kickoff was being returned by the Ads’ very own Jordan Sheppard for an 92-yard touchdown.
Fast forwarding to 4:51 left in the game Friday, Aug. 18, against Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, the Indians were able overcome an early 14-0 deficit and tie the game 17-17 with a 43-yard fade route on a fourth-and-long pass play.
Not to be denied an enjoyable postgame meal, Farragut’s offense marched 87 yards in the final two minutes to grab a 24-17 victory in the final seconds thanks to three clutch pass plays by first-year starting quarterback Cam Duncan, a senior. Two of his passes were 25 yards on a third-down throw to seniors Landis Davila and 20 yards on another third down to Brooks Burnette.
Duncan’s final pass was a 23-yarder, a 50/50 ball in the end zone won by Davila for the game-winning touchdown with just 16 seconds left.
”I trust all my receivers; I am going to give them the ball,” Duncan said.
Other game details
After Sheppard gave FHS the lead, KDB’s offense enjoyed an explosive 45-yard run into the red zone.
But the Indians once again had to deal with Sheppard, this time as Farragut’s starting safety. The As senior made another clutch play with an interception in the end zone.
Davila also had an interception for the winners.
As Duncan and his offense took the field early on, you couldn’t tell there were any nerves from the new starting quarterback. He connected with junior wide receiver Robbie Jacobs for a 74-yard touchdown on a slant over the middle, making it 14-0.
Dobyns-Bennett was able to get on the board with a field goal with less than a minute left in the first quarter.
After a few possessions came up empty for both teams, it was at the four-minute mark in the second quarter when Dobyns-Bennett was able to score their first touchdown on a run up the middle.
Sophomore kicker Ryan McCue split the uprights from 41 yards to extend Farragut’s lead to 17-10 late in the third quarter. The young kicker also had a few kickoff touchbacks.
“Ryan McCue kicked well tonight to keep it out of the hands of their dangerous return men,” FHS head coach Eddie Courtney said.
