Farragut students poured onto Bill Clabo Field on Friday night, engulfing the Admirals’ football team.
It was a chaotic scene after Farragut’s 10-0 victory over visiting Bearden.
You would never have known both teams entered the game with 0-5 records.
“We knew we needed to win this one,” Farragut senior cornerback Shawn Raines Jr. said. “Our mindset was different compared to the previous games that we had played. We were not letting (Bearden) score. The whole time, zero on the scoreboard.”
Raines played a crucial role in keeping rival Bearden off the scoreboard.
His interception in the Farragut end zone ended the Bulldogs’ last drive with 1 minute and 30 seconds left in the game.
After Raines returned the interception to the 16-yard line, Farragut ran out the clock with five running plays.
And the wild celebration ensued on Farragut’s field.
“We’ve got a mentally tough, physically tough football team that’s learning how to win again, offensively, defensively, special teams,” Farragut coach Geoff Courtney said. “We made some strides, and we don’t always see that on the scoreboard, and the scoreboard never matters.
“But it’s how we play, the style we play with, and eventually, God shines on people who do it the right way.”
Farragut (1-5, 1-2 in Region 2-6A) gained 191 total yards and 11 first downs. The Admirals ran for 159 yards, averaging 3.7 yards on 43 carries.
Sophomore Cruz Williams was the leading rusher with 68 yards on 16 carries, and junior Brenton Haag ran for 52 yards on 17 carries and scored the game’s only touchdown.
“Obviously 0-5 hasn’t been the start we wanted,” Haag said, “but we’ve got a great group of senior leaders and they’ve been keeping us together through the hard times, so big shoutout to them.”
Bearden gained 184 total yards and eight first downs. The Bulldogs ran for 69 yards on 23 carries (3-yard average) and Aidan Thacker threw for 115 yards on 11-of-23 passing with two interceptions.
Bearden (0-6, 0-3) has lost 17 consecutive games dating back to the 2024 season. The Bulldogs’ last victory was Nov. 15, 2024, when they beat Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.
“We knew it was going to be a four-quarter war,” Courtney said. “That’s what this game always is. There’s been times when they’ve been much better than us and times when we’ve been much better than them, and it’s always come down to the fourth quarter.”
It was a scoreless first half when defenses dominated.
Bearden had four first downs at halftime and 62 total yards (56 rushing, 6 passing).
Farragut had four first downs at the half and 73 total yards (62 rushing, 11 passing).
Bearden got interceptions in the first half by Zac Nicaud and Luke Ford.
Bearden’s Seth Campbell had a 34-yard field-goal attempt blocked in the first half, and Farragut’s Caleb Bell missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt when it went right.
“Our defense has really just made plays doing their job all year,” Courtney said. “Everybody knows our schedule. We’ve been up against some tall tasks. A lot of those (defensive) guys are undersized, and they’ve just played their tails off all year, especially our safeties.”
Farragut played Friday without senior strong safety Mason Swor, who could return next week against Hardin Valley Academy.
Sophomore Carter Maltais and freshman Easton Lear played in place of Swor.
Farragut got possession after the second-half kickoff, starting the first drive at its 35 after Bearden’s kickoff went out of bounds at the 1-yard line.
The Admirals used 11 plays and got to the Bearden 3-yard line.
Bell’s 20-yard field goal gave the Admirals a 3-0 lead with 6:09 left in the third quarter.
Bearden’s second possession after halftime ended when Thacker’s pass was intercepted by Lear, who returned it 36 yards to the Bulldogs’ 34-yard line.
Farragut methodically moved toward the Bearden goal line, using eight running plays and a 10-yard pass play to reach the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line.
Haag’s 2-yard touchdown run and Bell’s PAT kick gave Farragut a 10-0 lead with 5:20 left in the game.
“In the first half,” Haag said, “we’d been killing ourselves with penalties, so getting into the end zone and completing the drive, it felt amazing.”
Bearden got one more possession, starting at its 24-yard line.
On fourth-and-7 from the 27, Thacker completed a 40-yard pass play to Connor Gilbreath, who rambled to Farragut’s 33-yard line.
On the next play, Thacker threw a short pass to running back Paxton Parrott, who reached the Admirals’ 6-yard line.
Bearden used three running plays and got to the 5-yard line.
On fourth-and-goal, the Bulldogs tried a trick play, and Parrott’s pass was intercepted by Raines in the end zone.
“I saw that ball in the air,” Raines said, “and I had to go get it. It sealed the game away.”
Friday night provided a bright moment in a tough season for Farragut. Raines said the Admirals are learning from it.
“Trust in your brother next to you,” Raines said. “We’ve built a strong bond. We’re together every day. It’s an uncommon commitment to be on this team, and when you’re together, trust the guy beside you and go get it done.”
Article written by Dave Link/5Star Preps. To read more on area high school sports or to see photo galleries, videos, stat leaders, etc., visit 5StarPreps.com — and use promo code HAMMERS for 30% off your first year or month subscription.
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