The Smith County Lady Owls hosted the Region semifinals on Tuesday, October 21st vs East Robertson.  The Lady Owls won 6-0, moving on to the Region Championship.  The Lady Owls who scored were Matty Walker with assist from Chloe Gill, Gill would then assist Aubree Spain with her first of three goals.  Spain would also get assists from Addie Cripps and Julie Bowker to complete her hat trick.  Matty Walker would score her second with an assist from Addie Cripps. The final goal of the night was by Kara Brooks on a free kick.  

Thursday, October 23, the Lady Owls hosted Merrol Hyde in the Region Championship.  This was the first time since 2020 that Merrol Hyde played at Smith County’s field.  The Lady Owls would lose to Merrol Hyde 9-0 to collect the Region Runner Up award and move forward to the Sectional game on Saturday October 25th.

Smith County traveled to play Stem Academy in the Sectional game at Ezell Park in Nashville on October 25.  The first half ended tied at 0-0.  The second half ended tied 1-1 with Matty Walker scoring with an assist from Julie Bowker.  The game then went into Overtime with two 10 minute halves.  Smith County scored again from Madi Kemp and assist from Addie Cripps.  The defense held Stem scoreless and the game ended 2-1 Smith County.  Securing the first State Tournament appearance in the program’s 23 year history.  

Head Coach Nicholus Bussell and The Lady Owls will travel to Chattanooga Christian on Tuesday October 28 to play Westview at 6:30 in the quarterfinals.

The Smith County Lady Owls finished the regular season with a record of 11-1-1 (8 of those were clean sheets), District record at the end of the season was 6-0, placing Smith County at the top of the table.   Post season play started with the District Tournament hosted by Cannon County.  The Semifinal matches were Smith County vs York and Cannon County vs Jackson County.  

Smith County would win over York by a score of 4-0.  Goals scored by Matty Walker with an assist from Madi Kemp, Aubree Spain would add three more for a hat trick with the last goal being assisted by Matty Walker. Spain’s hat trick was her third in as many games. This win placed them in the Championship game against Cannon County who won over Jackson County by 3-1.

Thursday October 16th the District 5 A Championship game was held at Cannon County with Smith County being the home team on Cannon’s field.  The Lady Owl Nation showed up big for the girls and was in every moment of the hard-fought battle.  Half time the scoreboard was still 0-0.  With 5 minutes left in regulation play, the Lady Owls were awarded a free kick that was taken by Addie Cripps.  The shot sailed through Cannon’s wall of players and past the head of the keeper straight into the back of the net.  The entire stadium erupted in cheers, releasing the tension that had everyone on the edge of their seat the entire game.  Once the field found composure again Smith County went to work to make sure there would be no answer from Cannon County.  Final whistle and a 1 goal game ushered Smith County into their sixth straight District Champion title.  Head Coach Nicholus Bussell was awarded District Coach of the Year.  First team all-district Lady Owls are Jordyn Brown, Addie Cripps, Julie Bowker, and Catie Belle McCarter.  Second team all-district Lady Owls were Lexie White and Sophie Shoemake.  District Midfielder of the Year is Chloe Gill and the District MVP is Aubree Spain.

Smith County has had a great season bringing home the Championship from the Smoky Mountain Cup and now with the District Championship secured, it is time to keep moving forward.  Regional Semifinals will be played on Tuesday October 21st.  Smith County Lady Owls will host East Robertson at 6 PM at Crump Paris Park High School field.  Cannon County will travel to play at Merrol Hyde Magnet School.  Smith County Lady Owls go into this game with a 13-1-1 record and hopes to secure a win and host the Regional Championship game on Thursday October 23rd.  A loss would end their season, and this team is not ready to be done. Please come out and pack the park to cheer on your Lady Owls.

Each year the High School Lady Owls Soccer team competes in the Smoky Mountain Cup in Gatlinburg.  This year, for the third year in a row, the Lady Owls won their division and brought home the cup. This tournament has teams from multiple states and is a high level of competition.  Smith County played Coffee County (3A), Taylor County (KY) and Loudon County (2A), winning all three games.  This year the tournament was probably the hardest. These young ladies battled in each game. The trip is also a great opportunity for team building and having fun together as a family. The large number of supporters who traveled to cheer them on was greatly appreciated.

This season has been a rebuilding year of sorts, with graduating leading scorers and the influx of new players to the team.  However, this team has come together quickly.  We are seeing goals come from multiple players, which is great for depth.  The leading scorers at this time are Aubree Spain with 10 goals, Addie Cripps and Madi Kemp each have 4 goals. Goalkeeper Catie Belle McCarter has five shutouts in nine games. The back line is doing a great job which always helps the keeper.  Currently halfway through the season with a record of 7-1-1, 3-0 in District play and improving with each game.  According to MaxPreps, Smith County is #9 in Tennessee 1A Rankings.  This team is exciting to watch, and everyone should come out to support them.

September 16, they travel to White County, then on the 23rd and 25th are at home vs Greenbrier and Cannon County.

The 2025 Soccer season officially started.  Head Coach Nicholus Bussell has 24 players, eight are new to the team.  After losing last year’s Senior class, which included our top scorers, there was some rebuilding to do.  Also new to the Lady Owls this year is Assistant Coach Delani Harrelson. She is an alumnus to the team, and she brings great determination and love of the game to the mix.  

The Lady Owls played a couple of preseason scrimmages against Macon County and Cumberland County.  Playing against 2A teams can be a good challenge and strengthening exercise and both games were filled with learning opportunities as well as confidence builders.  The season started August 19 when the Lady Owls traveled to play Upperman in a non-district match.  The first half Senior Addie Cripps took a PK to get Smith County on the board.  Cripps would come back to net a second goal with an assist to Chloe Gill.  In the second half Freshman Kara Brooks and Junior Aubree Spain scored, and Chloe Gill would add another assist.  The Lady Owl defense looks solid and held Upperman scoreless.  Junior Goalie Catie Belle McCarter walked away with her first clean sheet of the season with a win of 4-0.

On Thursday August 21st Smith County traveled to play yet another 2A team, Springfield High School who last year played in 3A.  This was a first meeting for these two teams, and it was a physical match that would end in a 0-0 draw.

The Lady Owls have their home opener/district opener on Tuesday August 26, against Monterey High School followed by a Thursday match at Jackson County. 

submitted by Vivian Schaffers

The excitement is building as the Tennessee Boys Volleyball Association (TBVA) continues to work to grow boys’ high school volleyball across the state. The association, founded in 2023, recently held its second annual state tournament, bringing together the best high school boys’ volleyball teams from across the state. The event took place on Saturday, May 10, at TOA in Franklin, Tennessee, just south of Nashville.

This much-anticipated tournament featured a showcase of athleticism, skill, and sportsmanship, as teams battled it out for the coveted title of state champions. With the growing popularity of boys’ volleyball in Tennessee, the competition was fierce, with participating teams delivering thrilling matches. There is exceptional athletic talent within the state that has been untapped until recently in this sport.

“Boys volleyball participation has increased significantly, doubling since 2005! In 2025, high school boys volleyball participation in the US continues a strong upward trend, particularly in states like Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.” said TBVA Board Member and JECA Coach Tim Eidson, “The sport has become one of the fastest-growing team sports, with substantial increases in participation numbers compared to previous years.Specifically, in 2023-24, participation reached 85,255, an increase of nearly 8,000 over the previous year!”

According to recent statistics on the growth of high school volleyball across the country, there has been a significant increase in participation rates over the past decade. The number of high school boys’ volleyball teams has risen by X% nationally, reflecting a growing interest in the sport among young athletes.

“We are thrilled to have hosted the second annual TBVA state tournament and love that we are able to provide a platform for these incredibly talented young athletes to showcase their skills,” said Tracy Stevens, President of TBVA and Green Hill High School Coach. “This tournament is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players, coaches, and supporters who have helped to elevate boys’ high school volleyball in Tennessee.”

Boys high school volleyball in Tennessee is experiencing substantial growth, with a significant increase in participation and a growing number of teams.The Tennessee Boys Volleyball Association and organizations like First Point Volleyball and the Southern Region Volleyball Association are actively promoting the sport and working towards official sanctioning by the TSSAA. This growth is fueled by increasing awareness, dedicated coaches, and the passionate support of volunteers. The number of teams participating has more than tripled in just two years.

The tournament not only offers an opportunity for teams to compete at the highest level, but also serves as a celebration of the growth and success of boys’ volleyball in the state. 250-300 spectators enjoyed a day filled with electrifying matches, cheering fans, and a vibrant display of sportsmanship.

”Something we started doing right off the bat when teams started competing in matches is taking a photo all together after every match. Winning is fun, but showing these boys how important it is to work together and to foster great relationships across the net is the best part of what we are doing,” said Siegel Coach, Trish Flowers, who was voted by her peers as TBVA’s Coach of the Year.

The TBVA encourages volleyball enthusiasts, supporters, and the community at large to get involved in what they are doing to support high school boys volleyball. “There’s so much that needs to be done to help us get to the point that TSSAA will sanction this sport,” said tournament director Aubrey Ficek. “We need 67 TSSAA-participating high schools to either have a current boys’ team or commit to supporting a team once the sport is sanctioned. There is a grassroots effort building and there’s something for everyone to do!”

 For more information about the TBVA and the second annual state tournament, visit www.tennesseeboysvolleyballassociation.com or follow TBVA on social media.instagram.com/tnboysvolleyball.

Tuesday April 22, 2025  The Smith County Owls Soccer Team had their Senior Night and hosted Jackson County in a District match.  This year the Owls recognized nine players and four managers on Senior Night. Most of these young men have played together since they were little kids.  We have had the honor of watching them grow, mature, and become amazing young adults.  Three of the four managers are former Lady Owls and have served as manager for the boys team for several years.  All 13 have done an outstanding job and will leave big shoes to fill.  We would like to say thank you and good luck in your futures! James Bunn, Tatum Poindexter, Michael Martin, Jarrain Smith, Adyn Elliott, Terence Davis, Cruz Martinez, Gerardo Olvera, Aldrin Jimenez, Karma Pickett, Kiley Jenkins, Emma Butler and Jade Eisenhauer.

After the Senior Night Ceremony it was time for kickoff against Jackson County.  Smith County lost 1-0.  This season has been a rollercoaster for the Owls.  The talent is there but they have struggled to convert that into wins.  The game on Thursday was canceled for weather.  The record as it stands is 2-10-1.  The District Tournament is hosted this year by Jackson County and will be the week of May 5th. (photo and article provided by Vivian Schaffers)

On Tuesday April 8, 2025 Smith County Owls hosted Monterey in the first District match between the two teams.  The Owls were coming off of a District win vs York the week before and were looking to start a streak of wins.  The first goal of this game came with 14 minutes left in the first half.  Aldrin Jimenez scored the opener with an assist from Adyn Elliott.  A few minutes later Elliott would score with the assist from Bradley Pickett.  The score of 2-0 would stand into the half time break.  

Less than two minutes into the second half, Adyn Elliott would again score this time with an assist from Jarrain Smith. With 29 minutes on the clock Smith County would be awarded a penalty kick that was taken by Elliott and netted him a hat trick for the night.  Jarrain Smith came back to add a Goal to his assist bringing the score to 5-0 and 12 minutes left in the game.  There were several more attempts but then, with less than a minute remaining, Gavin Kemp scored with an assist to Bradley Pickett.  Kemp had been sidelined with an injury for a month so scoring on his return was quite the lift for him.  So with 6-0 win and a clean sheet for Keeper James Bunn in the books and the second District win, the Owls had a great evening on the pitch.

Thursday April 10 Smith County traveled to Jackson County for another District match.  This one would go a bit differently.  The Owls would have 30 shots to Jackson County’s 10.  The Blue Devils would strike first scoring with 16 minutes left in the first half.  Adyn Elliott assisted by Eli Spain would bring it level with only 8 seconds in the half.  The second half opened in the first minute with another Jackson County Goal bringing it to 2-1.  At the 26 minute mark Zane Felice would net a beautiful goal with a cross from Gavin Kemp, once again bringing it level.  Jackson County would go on to score twice more on the Owls ending the game with an Owl loss of 4-2.  This is the first time the Blue Devils have won against Smith County.

The Jackson County game was a set back but the Owls are resilient and growing.  The two teams will meet again on April 22nd at Smith County, this will also be the Owls Senior Night.   On Tuesday April 15 Smith County will travel to Macon County for a non District match up.  Thursday there is no game due to Cannon’s withdrawal.  photos and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers

The Smith County Men’s Soccer team is back for the 2025 season.  Led by Head Coach Wesley Kemp, Assistant Coach Nicholus Bussell and the newest edition of Coach Jason Alexander, this season promises to be full of success and growth.  The season home opener took place on March 4th hosting Friendship Christian.  It was a very tightly played game, being scoreless at the half.  Varsity saw Friendship Christian take the win with a score of 3-2.  Smith County saw goals from Gavin Kemp and another from Jarrain Smith with an assist from Gavin Petersen. The weather forced a cancellation of the JV match.

On Thursday March 6, Smith County hosted Livingston Academy.  Varsity for Smith County would lose this one 4-2, with the goals being scored by Gavin Kemp with an assist from Cruz Martinez and the second goal coming from Senior Adyn Elliott with an assist from Freshman Zane Felice.  Following the Varsity game the JV took to the pitch for a go.  Smith County would win this one 1-0 with the lone goal of the match coming from Eli Spain.

So far the Owls have faced off against teams a level up and that continues on Tuesday March 11th as they travel to Dekalb County and another on Thursday as they also travel to Wilson Central.  The first district match won’t come until March 18 as Smith County travels to face York Institute.  The Owls will be back home on the 20th to host Portland and we hope everyone will come out and pack the park in support of these young men.

photos and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers

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.