With only two weeks left before the high school football regular season commences, CAK and Carter met up for a scrimmage on Friday at CAK.
The starters played the first half, with the CAK Warriors’ No. 1s posting 20 points. Carter’s starters managed seven before the break.
Regardless, the Warriors are coming off a 7-5 season and second-round playoff exit; while the Hornets finished 6-5 last season and lost their opening playoff contest.
Here’s what stood out, and what CAK coach Chad Speck and Carter coach Todd Helton had to say about their teams…
Do you know the Moffett Man?
He lives at 529 Academy Way. That’s CAK quarterback Seaton Moffett, who threw touchdowns of 28 and 25 yards on Friday.
Moffett missed five games with a broken finger last season, but appears fully ready for his junior year.
Moffett showed off his ability to scramble and throw on the run throughout the night, specifically on a 33-yard catch to a leaping Baker Sterchi on CAK’s final drive of the first half.
It was a drive that culminated in a play-action touchdown pass to running back Isaac Kannah with 19.1 seconds left in the second quarter.
“Seaton did some really good things there on that last drive to extend some plays. Baker Sterchi made a big play going up and getting the ball,” Speck said.
Moffett’s other TD pass was to senior receiver Hunter Bennett. The duo also connected for a score in last week’s scrimmage against Central.
‘Gut check’ for Carter
Carter football coach Todd Helton at the Knoxville Football Officials Association Media Day at Three Ridges Golf Course on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
Helton said he has been pleased with the physicality the Hornets displayed in the spring, and even during the week leading up to this scrimmage. It just didn’t translate. Especially when it came to blocking and tackling.
“We came out extremely flat. We had a great week of practice after our scrimmage last week with Karns. We did a lot of good things,” Helton said.
“This week we really wanted to (simulate) game week, and I think I might have overloaded them a little bit with some of this stuff. The bottom line, we didn’t block and tackle with any effort.
“You can fix the mistakes, but the blocking and the tackling is just want-to and effort. I told them, ‘we’re going to have a gut check,’ and we’ve got two weeks.”
Good night to be named Isaac
Eighteen of the game’s points were scored by Isaacs.
Two touchdowns for CAK’s Isaac Kannah; and Carter’s lone touchdown on a 75-yard catch and run by senior Isaac Cookston.
Kannah, only a sophomore, will be taking on a featured role in the backfield with last year’s starter Ryan Gibson graduated.
Kannah showed off some impressive moves on a long run where he ultimately ended up fumbling, but responded with a 31-yard touchdown run on the Warriors’ next possession.
Cookston stayed with a broken play and kept himself available for new Carter quarterback Braeson Gourley, who delivered a nice throw on the run. Cookston caught the ball at about the CAK 30 and took it to the house.
“That’s the glimpse of what we need. Isaac Cookston did a great job of continuing to run that route across, Braeson did a great job extending it. That’s some of the dynamic weapons that we have, we just aren’t there yet,” Helton said.
Warriors on defense
CAK’s Sawyer Anderson at the Knoxville Football Officials Association Media Day at Three Ridges Golf Course on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
CAK looked solid on defense, a good sign considering it graduated Division II-AA All-State players Collin Crider (defensive line) and Gabriel Linkous (secondary).
Wyatt Howard intercepted a pass. J.J. Henry had a big tackle. And even though it was non-contact on the quarterbacks, the Warriors forced three would-be sacks in the first half.
Speck praised a number of defensive players, including Sawyer Anderson, who also filled in for Moffett last season at quarterback.
“It’s next man up,” Speck said.
“Sawyer Anderson is the Alpha of our team, he plays inside linebacker for us, he really makes things go. A very smart football player, knows how to get our guys in the right place.
“Seniors Elijah Krokowski and Michael Yoakum, when they’re on the defensive line, are impactful players.
“Jack Elliott is a young player up front that’s really coming along. In the secondary you’ve got two senior safeties in Bennett Jelks and Masyn Apalategui who are doing really well.
“JJ Henry is a guy that a lot of people don’t know because he was injured last year, but is a corner that is a physical, good player. Hunter Bennett, on both sides of the ball for us, is playing corner. Marvin Wyrosdick is one of the top linebackers in the area coming back on paper with the statistics.
“Those guys are really flying around and playing with some effort.”
Buzz about the new QB
Gourley, a sophomore who transferred from Central, is taking over for Carter with Brody Sparks going to Oak Ridge.
Carter’s coaches and players alike have been raving about Gourley’s leadership ability at a young age and in a new environment.
On Friday, he completed 8 of 11 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a half of action.
Helton said the more live action reps Gourley can get the better.
“The more and more and more we can get him live reps with these guys, timing, all of those things. When you take somebody, especially in the offense and the way we run it, and you put in a new captain there, you’re going to have to get some bugs out.
“ … But Braeson just needs to get out there and get comfortable with these live reps and that takes time. He’ll be fine, he is uber talented.”
Article written by Matthew Lutey/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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