Sevier Co. Ends Dream Season with 5A Title

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">On a cold Friday night, Sevier Co. fought through the weather and doubters to pull off a victory over a previously undefeated Page team to take the 5A championship. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One game everybody was looking forward to seeing throughout the Blue Cross Bowl was the 5A matchup between Page and Sevier Co. and the game did not disappoint. You had two undefeated, high caliber teams meeting in Chattanooga for a state title where Sevier Co. held tough till the very end to pull out a 27-20 victory over the Patriots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Smoky Bears proved to many across the state last night on how good they really were and how tight of a unit this year's team was. You could tell the Sevier Co. players were focused on one common goal and that was to bring a “Gold Ball” back to Sevierville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on in this contest, both teams worked at getting a feel for each other before Page cracked the scoreboard first with a red zone quarterback run from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219351' first='William' last='Wiebush']</strong>. Almost immediately after that score, Sevier Co. came right back to put three points on the board, making it 7-3 Page.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574463,"width":"402px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_0234.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574463" style="width:402px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting in the second quarter, Sevier Co. began to become more comfortable on offense. Sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] </strong>was darn near surgical throughout the entire game but started that path after a Patriots turnover that put the Smoky Bears in a strong position to score. They did just that as Newman found <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102513' first='Jude' last='Costner'] </strong>on a roll out pass to make the score 10-7.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The score would remain until the last few seconds before halftime where Page lined up for a long field goal only to see it blocked and returned all the way back to the end zone to give Sevier Co. a 17-7 lead headed into the locker room.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That blocked kick was a game changer for both teams. Not only did Sevier Co. take the lead but I think they snatched the confidence from Page and began to put pressure on a team that was eagerly searching for a state title that had eluded them over the past three years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You could feel and see the nervous energy coming out of the Patriots players when we started second half action and it was only exacerbated when the Smoky Bears struck yet again with Newman's second touchdown pass of the day. He found Costner yet again, wide open in the back of the end zone to bring the score up to 24-7.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was beginning to not look too good for the Patriots but they didn't fold just yet. Trailing by seventeen points, Page put together their best drive of the game as Wiebush capped it off with his second rushing touchdown of the night to pull things to within eleven at 24-13.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hope was brought back into the game for Page until they hurt themselves with a turnover. After forcing Sevier Co. to punt, the Patriots had the ball down eleven with the possibility of making a comeback but that was shut down after a fumble in the backfield. The Smoky Bears would capitalize on the turnover with their second field goal of the night, stretching their lead out to 27-13.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574469,"width":"411px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_0202.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574469" style="width:411px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth quarter saw both teams trade possessions but the main thing was the Sevier Co. defense keeping the Page offense in-check while both began to see time run out. The Smoky Bear defensive unit had a strong night as their secondary didn't allow the big plays while their front did a great job of stopping the run while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'] </strong>and others put pressure on Wiebush.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page had one last gasp where Wiebush scored his third touchdown of the game but he did so with under two minutes remaining and the Patriots sporting no timeouts. Only an on-side kick would give the Patriots a chance but it didn't work. Sevier Co. recovered the kick, ran one play then watched the clock run out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a tough loss for the Patriots as this was the fourth time in a row they made it to the 5A championship and finished as runner-up. Losing this game is definitely a tough pill to swallow but regardless, Page has a strong winning culture on campus that should continue under the teaching of Coach Rathbone.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a gritty, tough performance from the Smoky Bears. They certainly earned the 5A title with this win and an outstanding 2024 season that saw them finish undefeated. A lot of players return from this Smoky Bears team too, so maybe a repeat happens during the 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player(s) of the Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sevier Co. Offensive Line</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The TSSAA officials gave the game MVP to Newman but I felt their offensive line deserved the award after keeping their quarterback clean for the majority of the night while opening holes for their backs to gain positive yards. The collection of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='616543' first='Otto' last='VanRensburg']</strong>, <strong>Chase Gillispie</strong>, <strong>Lateavus Booker, Nolan Parton </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801918' first='Colby' last='Cunningham'] </strong>did a great job of competing and playing a clean football game. I don't think one single penalty was called against the Smoky Bears O-line the entire night. Championships are won in a variety of ways but one constant is strong play up front and that's exactly what the Sevier Co. O-line did on Friday evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Runner-Up MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142902"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67548a4a2da04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While his night wasn't spectacular, Newman still did all the right things in this game to help his team win, including making several clutch plays when the Smoky Bears were in the red zone. The biggest thing I liked about Newman was his calm demeanor and poise in the pocket. He played like a mature senior in this contest, showing wisdom beyond his years. This East TN signal caller is also a good athlete that maneuvered the pocket well to either run it himself or extend plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574464,"width":"400px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_0380.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574464" style="width:400px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Helmet Stickers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102513' first='Jude' last='Costner'] - Sevier Co.: </strong>This senior two-way player was Newman's safety blanket throughout the night. Costner consistently found ways to get open, especially in the red zone where he produced two big receiving touchdowns. He also made several key plays on defense, including a few tackles for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='219351' first='William' last='Wiebush'] - Page: </strong>Handling key roles on both sides of the ball, Wiebush played his heart out last night, doing everything he could to help his team win. On offense, this future Demon Deacon produced 142 yards passing, 94 yards rushing and three scores on the ground while knocking down several passes on defense from his safety position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/DB) Haydon Akers - Sevier Co.: </strong>Even though Akers didn't produce a touchdown or interception on defense, his overall play on Friday night was critical towards the team's 5A title win. He made several big catches to keep drives alive while also doing great work on defense, locking down his side of the field. His competitive spirit was also outstanding and a key component in the victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] - Page: </strong>Sevier Co. made it a point to try to stay away from Hazzard and even though they did a decent job of keeping him quiet throughout the night, the future Louisville Cardinal still had his moments. His best work came against the run where Hazzard made multiple key stops behind the line of scrimmage while also laying some vicious hits.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='983418' first='Tyler' last='Mann'] - Sevier Co.: </strong>Mann never does anything flashy. All he does is play physical and make plays. That's exactly what he did on Friday night where he was a force against the Patriots rushing attack. On multiple occasions, you would find Mann in the Patriots backfield making physical hits on the ball carrier. He was definitely a key piece on defense that helped keep the Page offense dormant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574462,"width":"463px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_0493.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574462" style="width:463px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->