Big-play fest: West holds off Admirals in shootout
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Ads defensive back Robbie Jacobs makes a leaping pass break-up in the end zone versus West. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/ crfoto.com
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Jack Alley, FHS senior linebacker, stops a Runnin’ Rebels running back. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/ crfoto.com
KNOXVILLE — The Farragut Admirals, led by senior quarterback Cam Duncan’s four touchdown passes, tried for the team’s third straight come-from-behind finish.
But the Admirals fell short while playing their first road game, losing to the Class 5A 2022 state champion West Rebels 38-31 Friday, Sept. 1. It was West’s 18th straight win, and Farragut’s fourth straight loss to the Runnin’ Rebels.
Despite the setback, “This team has a lot of fight in them,” FHS head coach Eddie Courtney said about his Admirals. “I’m proud of the way these guys compete.”
Duncan, who completed 54 percent of his passes for 299 yards, threw touchdown tosses of 11 yards to Jordan Sheppard, 54 and 58 yards to Landon Collins and 83 yards to Brooks Burnett.
West (3-0) was led by a sensational performance by running back Marshaun Bowers, who ran for 141 yards on 18 carries, including a 73-yard scoring run, caught two passes for 45 yards — including a 32-yard TD reception — intercepted one pass and ran back a 93-yard backbreaking kickoff return for another TD to help seal the Rebels’ victory.
The game started as a defensive struggle. Farragut (2-1) scored first, midway through the first quarter, on Duncan’s scoring toss to Sheppard, which was set up by an interception by cornerback Zain Kureshi-Smith and returned to the West 12-yard line.
With the Admirals up 7-0, Farragut’s Bryce Thompson recovered a fumble at the FHS 32 early in the second quarter, but West’s stubborn defense held Farragut.
After a strong Ryan McCue punt, Bowers wasted no time in breaking the 73-yard run to tie the score.
Though a Runnin’ Rebels touchdown pass was nullified by a holding penalty late in the first half, and Farragut’s defense held West on downs at the FHS 36, an interception and 33-yard return had the home team at the Ads 32. Bowers scored on a swing pass on the next play, and the Runnin’ Rebs led 14-7 at halftime.
A 32-yard TD run from Devin Jamison made the score 21-7 West early in the third quarter. After a 35-yard kickoff return by Collins and an 18-yard run by Wayne Drummy, Duncan connected on the 54-yard TD pass to Collins.
West’s Jamison and Bowers ran the ball efficiently, including a 51-yard burst by Jamison. The Runnin’ Rebels completed the next drive with a 10-yard Antwain Burdine TD catch for a 28-14 lead.
Duncan came back after a defensive stand led by Jack Alley, Kent Carbugh and Landis Davila. Duncan found Burnette on a sideline route, and the speedy Burnette outran Bowers for an 83-yard touchdown pulling the Admirals within seven, 28-21 with 9:35 left in the final quarter.
After West added a field goal, Farragut came back with Duncan finding Landis Davila for a 56-yard score, pulling FHS within 31-28 with six minutes to play.
But Bowers then took the ensuing kickoff the distance.
McCue’s 33-yard field goal, after FHS recovered a fumble, cut the lead to 38-31 late. But after the Ads’ failed onside kick, West ran out the clock.
