The TSSAA recently released the new 2025-2027 reclassifications for all Tennessee high schools. Some main schools that moved were 3A powerhouse Alcoa moving up to 4A and Cumberland County dropping from 4A. However, the biggest change came with Gordonsville high school moving up to 2A this upcoming season. 

“We are excited about our new district and the challenges that go with playing at a bigger school,” said Gordonsville High School football coach Stephen Jackson.

Gordonsville has remained in class 1A for over 40 years. This created strong traditions between schools like Clay County and South Pittsburg. With Gordonsville moving into 2A, the Tigers will be able to take on a new slate of district opponents including Trousdale County, Jackson County, Cannon County, and their biggest rivals in Smith County. 

Smith County and Gordonsville have always had high-stakes matchups, this year the Tigers took care of business in Carthage taking down the black and gold 20-6. The two teams always play the first week of the season in a game that is swarmed by local media and fans alike. 

“It will create a truly electric atmosphere for the community and schools. It will add more weight to it being a region game along with being a rivalry game.” said Smith County Owls Coach Matt Dyer. 

With the two teams now competing in the same district and classification it creates an opportunity for both teams to battle for a region championship and potentially a state quarterfinal game in the future. The next two years will create new rivalries with teams that are very familiar with each other in a new high stakes setting.

The long-standing rivalry between Smith County and Gordonsville just got a major upgrade. With the Tigers now set to compete directly with the Owls for district honors, fans can expect the same intensity and passion that have defined this clash for years—only now, the stakes are even higher.

A new podcast is making waves in Smith County, providing local athletes with the recognition they deserve. The Dugout Dads Local Sports Podcast, launched in August 2024, is dedicated to covering all sports at Gordonsville High School and Smith County High School. Co-hosted by Michael Hughes and Jonathan Parker, with Matt Inyart serving as the producer, the podcast brings a fresh perspective on the athletic talent in the community.

The weekly live show is held every Sunday evening at Nobel’s Restaurant in Carthage, where local coaches and athletes are invited to discuss their recent games and seasons. Whether it’s football, basketball, golf, volleyball, or even cheerleading, no sport is left uncovered.

Michael Hughes, one of the podcast’s founders and co-hosts, shared the inspiration behind the podcast: “We started this podcast to bring recognition to all athletes and coaches of all sports in this county. They all deserve it from football to basketball, soccer, softball, baseball, volleyball, golf, cross country, and cheerleaders. If we can accomplish this just a little then we are doing what we set out to do.”

The origins of the podcast began with a simple conversation between Michael and Jonathan. “Michael and I were talking one day, and he made mention about wanting to start a local sports podcast,” Jonathan explained. “He asked if I’d have any interest in doing it, and I jumped at the opportunity. Our area is saturated with athletic talent, and we want to highlight those athletes.”

Both Michael and Jonathan have coached multiple sports within the county, giving them unique insights into the local athletic scene. They began recording remotely, but the podcast has since grown into a live show at Nobel’s Restaurant, where fans can watch in person and interact with the hosts and guests.

Jonathan Parker adds: “Our local athletes deserve the recognition, and we are enjoying every minute of it. We hope everyone is enjoying the Podcast, where our skills are questionable, but our spirit is unstoppable.”

Producer Matt Inyart plays a crucial role in the podcast’s success, managing production and bringing technical expertise to the table. The team is constantly learning and refining their process to improve the quality of the show.

Covering sports from high school to college and professional levels, Dugout Dads has quickly become a community favorite. Each episode not only highlights individual athletes but also fosters a sense of pride in Smith County’s sporting achievements.

With its casual yet passionate approach, the Dugout Dads Local Sports Podcast is set to become a staple in local sports media, giving both athletes and fans a platform to celebrate the love of the game.

Be sure to catch the next live show at Nobel’s Restaurant in Carthage this Sunday evening, and tune in for interviews, recaps, and all things Smith County sports.

Follow Dugout Dads Local Sports Podcast on Facebook or Spotify.

The Smith County Lady Owls traveled to Jackson County for the last regular season game on Tuesday, October 1st. Smith County would take this District match 6-0 and follow it up with a JV win of 1-0. Smith County finishes the regular season 11-2-1 with a district record of 6-0.

The first half the Lady Owls would find the net four times.  Senior Kiley Jenkins started it off with an assist from Chloe Gill.  Senior Briley Grisham would add the next goal with an assist from Jenkins. The third scoring was made by Senior Aubrey Felice assisted by Lexie White.  Kacie Chiapperini would win a battle in front of the Jackson County net to earn the fourth goal.  The second half Aubrey Felice scored early bringing the score to 5-0 and earning her 124th career goal.  The game was put to bed when Smith County was awarded a penalty kick, taken by Freshman Matty Walker which she sent to the back of the net with ease.  The Varsity win was followed by a JV game that only resulted in one goal scored by Kylee Brooks and assisted by Kacie Chiapperini.  

October 8th the District Semi finals will be hosted in Jamestown by York Institute.  Smith County will play York at 5 PM, followed by a game between Cannon County and Jackson County.  The winners of these two games will play for the District Championship on Thursday October 10th.

Thursday September 26th the Lady Owls hosted York Institute for a District Match.  It was also Smith County’s Senior Night, honoring six players and one manager at the halftime break.  The Seniors were Katie Flynn, Aubrey Felice, Briley Grisham, Kiley Jenkins, Madelyn Hula, Averi Hopkins and Mike Martin.  

The game started with a light on and off rain but picked up as the game went on.  It did not seem to bother the Lady Owls who won 8-0.  The first half saw goals from Briley Grisham and Aubrey Felice, while the Lady Dragons were more focused on a complete defense rather than offense.  York continued the second half the same way, making no shots on goal and failing to stop Smith County reaching the net.  Smith County scored an additional six goals in the second half. Aubree Felice assisted by Aubree Spain, Kiley Jenkins assisted by Aubrey Felice, Jenkins would score the next goal followed two minutes later by Felice, giving Felice a hat trick. Aubree Spain assisted by Kacie Chiapperini, and the final goal scored by Kylee Brooks assisted by Bella Breece.  

The Lady Owls have one more regular season game which will be Tuesday October 1st at Jackson County.  The District Tournament will begin the next week in Jamestown, hosted by York.  Currently Smith County leads the District Standings 5-0, followed by Cannon 3-2, Jackson 1-2-1 and York in last place with 0-5-1.  

This has been a great season so far for the Lady Owls and they look forward to the post season journey.  We hope everyone will come out and support them and give them the fire to keep bringing home the wins.

photos and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers

On September 17th, Smith County hosted 2A White County for a non-district match, showcasing a dominant performance from the Lady Owls. The defense played exceptionally well, with goalkeeper Catie Belle McCarter earning a clean sheet, while the White County goalkeeper faced a challenging night. The Lady Owls overwhelmed the Lady Warriors, finishing with an impressive 9-0 victory.

Senior Aubrey Felice was a standout, netting three goals. Two of her goals were assisted by Addie Cripps, while Lexie White provided the assist for her third. Chloe Gill also contributed to the scoreline, finding the back of the net with help from Kiley Jenkins. Aubree Spain added two goals to the tally, with one assist from Chloe Gill and another from Kiley Jenkins. Kiley herself scored on a well-placed free kick and later added another goal, assisted by Kylee Brooks. The match even included an own goal from White County, further solidifying the Lady Owls’ commanding victory.

Two days later, on September 19th, Smith County faced off against Cannon County for the second time this district season. The Lady Owls had previously triumphed in their first meeting, winning 4-0, and Cannon County came into this match looking to avenge their only loss. It turned out to be a heated and chippy affair, with both teams displaying their competitive spirit. However, the Lady Owls remained resilient, securing a 2-0 win. Kiley Jenkins opened the scoring with a stunning free kick, and Addie Cripps sealed the victory with a goal assisted by Chloe Gill.

Looking ahead, the Smith County Lady Owls will travel to Dekalb County on September 24th before returning home to host York Institute for Senior Night. Their final regular-season game is scheduled for October 1st at Jackson County.

The SCHS Cheer squad showed great support during the match against Cannon County, highlighting the camaraderie among student-athletes. It’s heartening to see such school spirit, and the stands have been packed this season. If you haven’t yet attended a game, you’re truly missing out on an exciting experience!

photo and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers

The Smith County High School Lady Owls soccer team made their annual trip to the Smoky Mountain Cup Tournament in Gatlinburg from September 6-8, and this year’s visit ended in spectacular fashion. Known for providing a rigorous test of skill and a chance for players to bond, the tournament proved to be a major success for the Lady Owls, who claimed the Championship trophy—marking their first back-to-back titles at this event.

The Lady Owls faced two matches on Saturday. Their first game was against Pigeon Forge High School, where they secured a decisive 5-1 victory. Aubrey Felice led the charge with a hat-trick, while Aubree Spain and Kiley Jenkins each added a goal. Assists came from Chloe Gill, goalkeeper Catie Belle McCarter, and both Felice and Jenkins, who contributed two assists each.

Later on Saturday night Smith County went up against 3A Ooltewah. It was a battle to the end and the Lady Owls defense stood tall. The game ended in a draw of 0-0. Despite the result not being ideal, the Lady Owls’ defense put in a commendable performance.

On Sunday, the team faced Franklin County, KY. At the same time, Ooltewah played DeKalb County, and the standings indicated that a win by a margin greater than Ooltewah’s could secure the top spot for Smith County. The game against Franklin County was intense and physical, but the Lady Owls emerged victorious with a 6-4 win. The goals were scored by Aubrey Felice (four), Lexie White (one), and Kiley Jenkins (one on a penalty kick). Assists were provided by Briley Grisham (two), Chloe Gill (two), and Addie Cripps (one). The victory ensured that the Lady Owls would take home the Championship trophy, a reward for their hard-fought effort.

Smith County had a few days to recover before hosting Jackson County on Wednesday September 11th. Despite lingering fatigue from the weekend, the Lady Owls, driven by the importance of the District match, gave a strong performance. They managed to keep a clean sheet while scoring three goals. Aubrey Felice netted two goals, and Addie Cripps added one. Assists came from Aubree Spain, Lexie White, and Chloe Gill.

Looking ahead, the Lady Owls will host White County on September 17 and Cannon County on the 19th.

.

Aubrey Felice, a Senior at Gordonsville High School, is a Co-Captain of the Smith County High School Lady Owls Soccer Team. When she first joined the high school team, she set a personal goal to score 100 goals before she graduated. She started with 2 goals in her 8th-grade year while playing up with the high school team, followed by 21 goals as a Freshman, 26 as a Sophomore, and 43 as a Junior. Now, in her Senior year, she has already scored 11 goals and continues to add to her tally.

In a recent game against Greenbrier, Aubrey achieved her goal by scoring her 100th career goal, with an assist from Addie Cripps. She currently has 103 goals and is still going strong. Aubrey credits her coaches and teammates for their support and guidance, which have been crucial to her success. As a team captain, she understands that reaching personal milestones is a team effort, and she appreciates the ongoing support from fans. Aubrey plans to pursue her athletic career in college while majoring in criminal justice. (photos and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers)

Smith County Lady Owls Soccer is back in motion. The Lady Owls hosted 2A Stone Memorial in their home opener on August 13th. Stone brought an aggressive game but Smith County never gave in. Senior Kiley Jenkins netted her first goal of the season and her first goal since sitting out a year with injury, she was assisted by Aubree Spain. Freshman Matty Walker also scored for the Lady Owls. This was Walker’s first high school goal and she received the assist from Senior Aubrey Felice. However, these goals were not enough as the Lady Owls fell to Stone Memorial 2-4 in front of a packed park.

Thursday August 15 Smith County hosted 2A Upperman Lady Bees. The Lady Owls would shut this one down with a score of 7-0, giving Keeper Catie Belle McCarter her first clean sheet of the season.  There were three goals in the first half.  The first goal was from Senior Aubrey Felice.  The second goal was from Aubree Spain with an assist going to Addie Cripps. The third came from a free kick taken by Senior Kiley Jenkins.

After the break, the second half would provide four more Smith County goals. Senior Aubrey Felice had a second half hat trick. Felice scored with an assist to Chloe Gill, then she scored the next goal, and her next one was her fourth of the night and it was assisted by Senior Kiley Jenkins. The Seventh and final goal of the night came from Grace Smith with an assist from Kasie Thomas.

The Lady Owls will have another home game on August 22nd at 6pm vs Goodpasture. Come out and watch some exciting soccer and help us support these Lady Owls. (article and photos submitted by Vivian Schaffers)

The 2024 High School Lady Owls Soccer season is ready to kick off. The Home Opener is Tuesday August 13th versus Stone Memorial.

The Lady Owls have been working very hard to be ready for a great run. They are led by a great coaching staff: Head Coach Nicholus Bussell, Assistant Coaches Lisa Reece, Mallory Hunt and Shyenne Kemp.

There are seven Senior Lady Owls: Emma Butler, Katie Flynn, Aubrey Felice, Briley Grisham, Averi Hopkins, Kiley Jenkins, and Madelyn Hula. Your Lady Owl Captains for the season are Aubrey Felice and Kiley Jenkins. You are not going to want to miss coming out to watch these ladies play. Bring all the SCP to the Soccer Complex and support these hard working student athletes as they make a run to meet some big goals for the season. (photos and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers)