Local Middle School’s Shine in Jamboree

Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports

The Middle 8 conference held their annual middle school jamboree at Burke-Toney Stadium at Morristown East High School Thursday night. While there are 8 teams in the conference the 3 from Jefferson County really stood out among the rest, although Lincoln Heights appears to be much improved from a year ago.

White Pine School- The White Pine Cyclones played in the 2nd quarter of the jamboree against Rutledge Middle School. The White Pine defense stopped the Pioneers first offensive possession without allowing a first down. When the Cyclones took to the offensive, it didn’t take them long to score. On the first play from scrimmage Cyclone quarterback, Brody Moore, would find Tanner Atkins up right sideline setting up a one yard plunge by Marshall McGaw. The 2 point conversion was no good and the Cyclones led 6-0.

There was a stoppage in play at the 14:01 mark remaining in the quarter when Rutledge running back, Josh Reese, went down with an apparent upper leg injury. Coaches and trainers comforted Reese until the Hamblen County EMS arrived to take off by stretcher.

A scramble by Moore would set up another White Pine touchdown run by Daegan Hommel. The 2-point conversion was again no good and the Cyclones led 12-0. Rutledge would end the 2nd quarter with a 75- yard touchdown pass against White pine’s 2nd string defense. White Pine would win the quarter 12-6.

Jefferson Middle School’s Jamal Spradlin would win the long toss competition of the halftime festivities at the event. Spradlin’s 51- yard toss was enough to win the competition by 14 yards. Justin Lowery of Maury Middle School would win the Longest Kick portion of the event.

Maury-Jefferson: The cross-town rivalry of Maury and Jefferson started a little earlier this year, as they played against one another in the 3rd quarter of play. Both showed signs of teams who will compete for the conference crown this season.

Maury took the offensive side of the ball first, that drive ended on deflected pass that ended up in the hands of Jefferson Middle’s, Gage Bolin. Jefferson Middle would also throw an interception on third and long of their first drive. However, a fumble on the interception return would give the ball back to the Elks. The Elks’ were not able to capitalize on their good fortune, however and have to punt.

Maury would get the ball back and drive the distance of the field, unfortunately for the Hornets time expired on the quarter before they could punch it in and the quarter ended with the score 0-0.

White Pine Schedule

August 19th West View (Home) 6:00

August 26th @ Maury (Away) 6:00

September 2nd Lincoln (Home) 6:00

September 9th @ Meadowview (Away) 5:30

September 16th Jefferson (Homecoming) 6:00

September 23rd @ East Ridge (Away) 5:30

September 30th @Rutledge (Away) 6:00

October 4th Bowl Game @ Burke- Toney (time TBA)

*****Maury Middle and Jefferson Middle Schedules were not available at time of Press*****