The preseason hasn’t been kind to either Dobyns-Bennett and Farragut.
And that’s not a good omen for a pair of tradition-rich programs that failed to produce a winning season in 2023.
“5-5, 5-5-1 or whatever it was…it’s unacceptable,” said Tribe coach Joey Christian. “That’s not who we have been, that’s not who we are and that’s not what we want to be.”
The Admirals won last year’s opener in Knoxville, 24-17, on a touchdown pass inside the final minute and then beat powerful Powell by the same margin a week later.
But the Admirals lost six straight and missed the playoffs despite a 13-10 win at Maryville to close the regular season.
In March, longtime coach Eddie Courtney retired, replaced by son Geoff.
“I can’t ever imagine following Eddie Countney,” said Christian. “There’s not a better coach, make that human being, than him.”
Scheme-wise, Christian said like father, like son.
“They aren’t doing anything really differently,” continued Christian. “It’s Knox County and West Knoxville. They are always going to have good athletes.”
Two of Farragut’s best athletes, perhaps the two best have been slowed in the preseason by injury.
Senior Landon Collins and junior Robbie Jacobs, figure to play prominent roles at wideout and perhaps in the secondary.
“Those two (Collins and Jacobs), we’re going to have to find ways to get both of them the ball,” said Courtney. “Both of those guys have played quite a bit, but they’ve waited their turn and they know it’s their time. I think they are excited for a big year and we’re hoping that they will have a big year.”
Collins is the last of the lineage from Collins brothers of Jefferson County. Last season, Collins caught 20 passes for 314 yards and two scores, and has garnered offers from ETSU, MTSU, University of Indianapolis, Maryville and UVA-Wise.
“He is the last of those Collins kids’ kids…thank goodness,” quipped Christian. “He’s very athletic and is a match-up problem for us.”
However, Collins didn’t play in any of Farragut’s three preseason scrimmages.
“He’s been in a boot on the sideline in all three scrimmages,” explained Christian. “My sources tell me that will not be the case Friday night, that he will be dressed and ready to play.”
Jacobs had 16 receptions for 259 yards a year ago and already has offers from ETSU, Roanoke College and UVA-Wise.
But Jacobs, too, has been out with an arm injury.
Farragut is also breaking in a new quarterback via a competition that stretched well into preseason drills.
Christian believes that junior Corbin Hobson (6-0, 195) will start with sophom*ore Noah Haag (5-10, 180) also likely to play.
“They always have a good quarterback that can spin it out there and run the RPO game,” noted Christian. “Haag is more of a running quarterback, a lot of quarterback counters and probably brings a little bit different playbook.”
“I could see us seeing both of those guys, but I think Hopbons will roll out first.”
Christian also expects to see two, if not three running backs, starting with 5-7, 155-pound junior Charlie Noble. Sophom*ore Maysn Apaletegui should be second in the rotation.
Farragut starts three juniors and two seniors along an offensive line that averages around 240, but much bigger at guard and center than at tackles.
“They are so regimented in their zone offense, zone blocking schemes,” added Christian. “They are always big in the offensive line. They are going to lean on you, wear on you, wear you out.”
Christian said his all-new defensive line (Kosiah Steele, Eli Depew, Braylon Fugate) that’s already without projected starter Jimmy Taylor, and two new inside linebackers (Peyton Franklin, Devin Murdock) will have to hold the point.
“We can’t let them just cram it down our throat,” explained Christian. “Can’t have to start inserting people in the box to stop the run. If we have to do that, we are in trouble.”
The Farragut defense showed an even front on all but three plays in last season’s contest, but have shown more odd than even through the scrimmages.
Two-time state shot put champion and discus runner-up Bryce Thompson (5-11, 225) is an explosive, athletic defensive end.
Senior Kent Carbaugh, who was also in the quarterback derby this summer, has moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker.
“Carbaugh is very athletic, very fast,” noted Christian. “Whenever they need to make a play or do something defensively, he’s going to blitz.”
Sophom*ore Johnny Jacobs, a candidate at wide receiver if Collins or older brother Robbie can’t go, is at outside linebacker.
The secondary is largely unsettled with the possibility that the entire starting unit will be underclassmen with three sophom*ores - Ethan Farhat and Harrison Smith - at safety and Darrien Hensley at one corner. If Hensley doesn’t get the nod, another freshman - Anderson Glover, could start opposite freshman Donovan Lloyd.
Meanwhile, the Dobyns-Bennett offense returns quarterback Austin Sykes along with receivers Tylen Taylor, Rome Pruitt, Dylan Murray and Jaylen Thomas while adding Zayden Hayes.
Converted wideout Tegan Begley figures to start at running back with the season-ending injury to Luke Lundy. Look for Corde Moore and Tray Windham to receive some touches as well.
The tight end group features converted running back Franklin, Burdock and Steele. Taylor would have been in the mix as well.
Up front the Tribe will start Baker Correll at left tackle, Eli Depew at left guard, Will Ford at center, Tyler Grizzle at right guard and Javon Graves at right tackle. The Indians will be without versatile backup Luke Cox for at least several weeks due to an injury sustained in the final scrimmage of the preseason.
And the injuries don’t stop there. Both kickers - punter Ethan Cline and place-kicker Cooper McLain - are nursing leg injuries. Both will be gametime decisions.
“Yeah, that’s not good, especially when you consider that we opened the season down there last year by allowing the opening kickoff to be returned for a touchdown,” recalled Christian.
Begley is listed as the backup punter, but Cline is second on the chart at place-kicker.
“We could be in trouble there,” added Christian.
Kick-off from J. Fred Johnson Stadium is set for 7:00 pm.
THE SERIES … This is the 20th meeting between the two teams dating back to 1956 … the Indians lead 13-6 … four of the meetings have been playoff games - 1st round games in 1994 (35-17), 1995 (13-23) and 2000 (6-28) and a second-round contest in 2007 (8-26) … the Indians won the three meetings, 40-0 in 1956, 12-0 in 1979 and 28-3 in 1983 … Farragut’s first win came in 1984, 14-13 … Last Season, Farragut scored on the opening kickoff, intercepted a pass in the end zone and scored again on its second offensive play in building a 14-0 lead before the first quarter was halfway over. The Tribe tied the game in the fourth quarter, and had possession at midfield with three minutes to play only to see Farragut quarterback Cam Duncan find Landis Davila for a 23-yard score with 16 seconds remaining for a 24-17 victory.
THE COACHES
Geoff Courtney was named to replace his father Eddie as Farragut coach on March 21. Courtney served his father as an assistant for 15 years, offensive coordinator for the last seven years. Courtney was recognized as the 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year for Class 6A from the Tennessee Football Coaches Association. He also played for Farragut, graduating in 2006, and was a walk-on wide receiver at Tennessee from 2006-09.
Coach Joey Christian is 43-24 entering his seventh season at Dobyns-Bennett.
FARRAGUT FOOTBALL HISTORY … The original Farragut High School, built in 1904, occupied a strip of land adjacent to Kingston Pike, becoming the first consolidated high school in Knox County. In 1976, the school relocated to its current location on the opposite side of Kingston Pike. The school bears the name of Civil War hero David Glasgow Farragut, the Union admiral born in the local area, best known for his declaration "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" … This is the 851st game in Admiral football history with Farragut owning a 490-346-14.
DOBYNS-BENNETT FOOTBALL HISTORY … 2024 is the 104th year for Dobyns-Bennett football. The contest against Farragut is the 1121th game in Dobyns-Bennett football history with the Tribe sporting an 825-267-28 record. The Indians are tied as the 27th winningest high school team in the nation with Paducah Tilghman (KY), Gaffney (SC), and Brockton (MA), second-most in Tennessee and one of just 45 programs with 800 wins.
