Ads storm back, fall short
A game that was a battle for the ages
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Admirals Conner Parris, 20, Harrison Smith, 1, Colt Brooker, 42), and Stephen Doubleday, 36 tackle Powell running back. - Carlos Reveiz carlos@crfoto.com
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FHS #63, Ayden Perez, protects QB - Carlos Reveiz carlos@crfoto.com
It was an extraordinary fourth-quarter comeback by Farragut High School’s football team Friday night at home against Powell High School.
Unfortunately for the Admirals, it didn’t hold up.
After storming back from a 20-7 deficit in a wild final period to lead 21-20, FHS couldn’t stop Powell on its next drive, which gave the Panthers a 26-21 lead with 2:20 left.
The Admirals had one final chance, but, with under a minute left on fourth and nine from the Powell 33, quarterback Corbin Hobson was stopped short. Powell then ran out the clock to win 26-21.
“Great game,” FHS coach Geoff Courtney said, “Powell’s got a heckuva club. We made some plays in there to win the game … we just didn’t make enough winning plays.”
“Unbelievable effort by both sides,” PHS coach Matt Lowe said. “Couldn’t be more impressed with the effort and the resiliency of these young kids.”
The Panthers led 7-0 with 6:26 left in the first when, after forcing FHS to punt on its first possession, quarterback Brodie Hollowell hit Dezion Jackson for a 70-yard touchdown up the right sideline.
On Farragut’s next possession, Hobson was picked off on second down, and Powell was right back in business on the FHS 24. On third and 10, Hollowell threw a screen pass to Johonauan Moore, who took it in for the score.
With 3:55 left in the first, FHS was down 14-0 and things looked bleak. But the Admirals answered on their next drive, A kickoff return put the ball on Powell’s 43, and Farragut cut it to 14-7 when Hobson scored on a two-yard keeper on the drive’s ninth play.
The score held to halftime.
Powell made it 20-7 at the end of the third when Hollowell hit Moore for a 4-yard score on fourth down. Farragut then failed to make a first down and lined up to punt on fourth down.
But Noah Haag took the quick snap and hit Abram Shelton, who galloped to the PHS 10. Two plays later, Hobson took it in from the three, and Farragut trailed 20-14.
“We had that play in our bag and we thought it was a good time to do it,” Courtney said of the faked punt.
On its next possession, Powell’s punt was blocked. A Powell player picked up the ball and tried to advance it but then fumbled.
The Admirals’ Stephen Doubleday recovered it, and FHS had a first down on the PHS 31. On first and goal from the four, Haag ran it in, and the Admirals led 21-20.
But the Panthers then won it with an 11-play drive, the score coming on Caleb Acres’s 1-yard plunge with 2:20 left.
“Give them credit, they were down,” Courtney said. “We gotta learn to finish games.”
Hobson completed 60 percent of his passes (9 of 15), but could manage only 38 yards. Admirals’ running backs Luke Finnegan and Charlie Noble combined for 84 yards on 19 carries.
“We keep making strides in the right direction,” Courtney said. “I know these guys will come back ready to go.”
The Admirals (0-2) travel to play Upperman High School Thursday night at 8.
