Maryville, Heritage Pee Wees, Midgets claim Super Bowl titles
By Will Estep | (sports@thedailytimes.com)
Eight local youth football teams got the chance to play on the AstroTurf at Maryville High School Saturday in the Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Rec Commission Midget/Pee Wees Super Bowl.
The first two contests were the championships of the American League, comprised of teams that finished fifth through eighth in the regular season. The two winners of the semifinal games then met on Saturday to decide who would be the champions in both the Pee Wee, which consisted of 9- and 10-year olds, and midget leagues, that featured ages 11-12.
Brook Hemphill of Parks and Rec, who is in his 12th season over the football league, enjoyed the fact of being able to play on a field that’s doesn’t tear up.
“I think the kids love it,” Hemphill said. “I talked to Coach (George) Quarles about it, and he was gracious enough to lend us the field. Last two or three years, we have played mud bowls and we have absolutely destroyed two football fields. This year, we didn’t have to worry about that.”
HERITAGE 31, FRIENDSVILLE 0
In the first contest, Heritage took control quickly of the American League Pee Wee championship game. Heritage had three long touchdown runs from Blake Cooper in the first half and the Indians raced out to a 25-0 halftime lead on the way to the win.
Heritage quarterback Parker Rothery, who early in the game tossed a 12-yard touchdown to Spencer Williams, scored the only points of the second half on a 3-yard touchdown run in front of Heritage High School coach Tim Hammontree.
“These kids have worked their tail off year,” Heritage coach Brad Hurst said. “They were four or five plays away from playing in the National League Super Bowl. This American Super Bowl, we have won it three years in a row now, and this is a great group of young men and I’m very proud of them.”
Friendsville couldn’t muster any points, but the Falcons did force a fumble that was recovered by Ben Kenny in the fourth quarter.
HERITAGE 19, FRIENDSVILLE 0
Nic McCarter accumulated all three touchdowns for Heritage on the cold, overcast day. McCarter put Heritage up for good with a 7-yard touchdown run with 9:52 left in the second quarter. McCarter later scored on a 21-yard touchdown run after Elijah Hearon ran 68 yards the play before that to set up the score.
“It was definitely a motivation for our team to help us get over the hump there a little bit on offense,” Heritage coach Jerry Teaster said. “Outside was about the best place we had to run. The kids broke and a lot of these guys got to the outside really well, and blocked for us really good.”
The game was the finale for Friendsville coach Tary Gaylor, who coached 24 years for Friendsville.
“I have had a blast, enjoyed the kids. That’s what it’s all about,” Gaylor said. “That’s what I was in it for.”
MARYVILLE 33, FAIRVIEW 6
Early in the season Maryville lost a 2-0 battle to Fairview. Saturday’s game was a far cry from the first meeting as the Maryville Pee Wee team picked up a National League Super Bowl Championship in front of their home fans.
Fairview cut the score 7-6 with 4:40 left in the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run from Luke Summerall, but it was all Maryville after that. Graham Everett reeled off three of Maryville’s five touchdowns, including a 63-yarder in the third quarter.
“We schemed a little different, and had a little bit better game plan, but mostly they just came ready to play and ready to hit people,” said Maryville coach Joey Winders.
MARYVILLE 52, ALCOA 0
After losing in last season’s midget National League Super Bowl, Maryville bounced back this season in a big way, racing out to a 24-point first quarter lead
Christian Markham had the biggest day for Maryville as he scored a trio of touchdowns. Two of them came on the ground and one via an interception. Isaiah Cobb scored two touchdowns on the ground for Maryville, including a 36-yarder.
“It’s always a good feeling,” said Maryville coach Don Sentell, who is in his 49th year of coaching. “This one is always better than the last one.”
Alcoa couldn’t score on the day, but Brennan Salter came up with several tackles including a sack.
