Mini Ads 7th play for MAC title, defeat Gibbs 8-6
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Mini Ads Jay Hampton (43) and Andrew Toth (10) make a tackle. - Farragut MAC photos by Alan Sloan
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Farragut’s Casen Culbreth runs for key yards against Gibbs in the MAC 7th-Grade semifinal at Gibbs High Saturday, Nov. 2. - Farragut MAC photos by Alan Sloan
GIBBS — It was a dramatic finish in the Knox-Area MAC 7th-Grade Football Tournament semifinals at Gibbs High School Saturday morning, Nov. 2.
With Casen Culbreth 6-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter and a well-struck 2-point conversion kick by Gavin McClerkin, Farragut, tourney No. 3 seed despite suffering just one loss in 2024, led homestanding No. 2 seed Gibbs 8-0 in the closing minutes.
But the Mini Eagles drove deep inside Blue and Gray terriory late, then scored on a 1- yard quarterback keeper with just nine seconds to play.
However, the potential 2-point tying conversion kick was wide left, and Farragut (8-1) reached the MAC title game — back at Gibbs starting at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9 — following this 8-6 thriller.
Drake Lewis had a key fourth-down run on the Farragut scoring drive. He also reeled off a 13-yard run.
Running back Jay Hampton ripped off a 20-yard run and caught a 16-yard pass from quarterback Andrew Toth. Casen ran 16 yards to help set up his TD. Defensively, he recovered a fumble.
Farragut beat Karns 8-0 — Casen TD run and Gavin conversion— in the quarterfinals.
