Freshman Owl Soccer Goalkeeper James Bunn recently earned his US Soccer Grassroots Referee Certification.  This is the first level in the five level Referee Pathway required to obtain this certification. Courses must be completed and then be certified by the State Referee Committee.  James is now qualified to officiate competitive, small-sided or recreational youth matches and amateur adult matches. The future is exciting for this young man as he grows in the high school soccer program and in his referee path. Pictured above includes the officiating crew in James Bunn’s first game to work after certification. Terence Davis is also a Freshman Owl Soccer player.

March 18, 2022 the high school Men’s soccer team travelled to Gatlinburg, making the annual trek to play in the Smoky Mountain  Cup.  This year Varsity won all three of their games and they came home as Smokey Mounty Cup, Mount Collins DivisionChampions.

The Varsity’s played Concord Christian for their first game and won 3-1.  The Smith County goals came from Tanner Pierson scoring on a penalty kick, then Christian Santiago scored on a beautiful, hard fought shot, and Pierson would come back to score the third with an assist to Mo Abou Rahma.  Concord Christian would only manage to get one goal against the Owl defense.

Next the Varsity faced Campbell County.  The Owls won 2-0.  The first goal was Mo Abou Rahma assisted by Tanner Pierson.  The second goal was Christian Santiago assisted by Rylan Bates. The Smith County Varsity faced Kingston for the final tournament game.  The Owls seemed at ease, knowing they just had to play this game like every game, together.  They were correct, winning 2-0.  Both goals scored by Tanner Pierson.  The first one being assisted by Freshman Lolo Ortiz. 

The JV team had 2 losses and one draw but gained vital experience for the Freshman ladened side of the team.  JV first faced McMinn County and lost 3-2.  The goal scorers in this game for Smith County were Sophomore Eric Richel and Freshman Terence Davis with an assist to Will Vance. JV took on Stone Memorial in a 4-1 loss.  The lone goal scored by Smith County came from Senior Will Vance.  Finally, JV faced Dekalb county. This one would end in a draw of 1-1.  However the game ended on a foul in the box that should have led to Smith County getting a penalty kick.  The refs chose to forego the penalty and end the game.  The goal scored for the Owls was by Blake Baird with the assist going to Adam Allmon.

On Thursday March 24th, after returning from the mountains, Smith County traveled to Friendship Christian for a varsity game, winning 4-0.  They goals were scored by Colby Boyce and Tanner Pierson, two each.  This team is fun to watch, they are generous with one another, have great leadership and seem to have a genuine love for the game and for team.  There is a break in the action for Spring Break and then back with a two home game stand to begin District play on April 5th and 7th.  

The 2022 season for the Smith County Men’s Soccer Team is underway.  Head Coach Kit Jenkins and Assistant Coach Nicholus Bussell put the team through their paces in the preseason.  The Owls scrimmaged 2A Wilson Central followed by 3A Lebanon High School.  It was a good chance for the coaches to assess the team in a tough environment and an opportunity for the team to find their chemistry in game situations.  There has been a lot of growth in a short time, which is exciting.  The Owls lost a lot of experience with last season’s graduating class.  But this year’s team is showing a lot of leadership and unity.

There are eight Seniors this season, three of which are Captains: Colby Boyce, midfielder, Ro Ortiz, defender, and Mo Abou Rahma, striker. They bring knowledge and skill to their respective positions.  The remaining five Seniors are Xander Ratledge, defender, Kory Debord, Goalkeeper, Will Vance, midfielder, Aaron Wheeley, defender, and Eligio Tolentino, defender.  All of these Seniors are really stepping into the role of mentor and leading by example.The nine Juniors are really showing their ability and willingness to play big, keep learning, to grow and to lead. 

The Juniors are: Josh Allen, striker, Tanner Pierson, Midfielder, Christian Santiago, defender, Gavin Huddleston, midfielder, Bolt Ortiz, defender, Rylan Bates, midfielder, Jordan Gutierrez, defender, Stephen Laszlo, midfielder, Jonathan Santiago, Goalkeeper.The Sophomores are: Blake Baird, midfielder, Abi Martinez Defender, Eric Richel, midfielder.There are eleven Freshmen this season: Thai Phan, defender, Adam Allmon, striker, Jarrain Smith, midfielder, Adyn Elliott, midfielder, Lolo Ortiz, midfielder, Juan Cisneros, midfielder, Gerardo Olvera, defender, Terence Davis, midfielder, Dylan Allen, defender, Tatum Poindexter, defender, James Bunn, Goalkeeper.

The season opener was also the home opener for the Owls on March 15th against 2A Macon County.  The first goal of the night and season was scored by Tanner Pierson and three minutes later Pierson would score again on a free kick.  Macon County scored their only goal of the night on a penalty kick but Smith County answered it a few minutes later when Captain, Mo Abou Rahma would score with the assist going to Tanner Pierson.  Varsity won 3-1 with Pierson being named Man of the Match.The JV took the pitch with another Smith County win of 1-0.  The lone goal of the game being scored by Freshman Adyn Elliott on a corner kick by Black Baird.

March 17th Smith County traveled to 2A Portland.  Varsity took to the pitch first.  Smith County Captain Colby Boyce would score first, finishing a free kick taken by Tanner Pierson.  Later Boyce would send a beautiful pass across to Freshman Jarrain Smith who would score his first high school goal.  The third goal for the Owls would come when Gavin Huddleston took a corner kick that would find Captain Mo Abou Rahma who netted it for the score.  Portland had been down only scoring one goal until the final few minutes when they scored again and the draw would come on an own goal by a Freshman Owl.  The final being 3-3. The JV game never got that close with Smith County winning 4-1.  At the half the score was 0-0 but the second half heated up.  Sophomore Eric Richel scored five minutes into the half.  With 18 minutes on the clock Sophomore Blake Baird scored the second goal.  Then at the 10 minute and 8 minute marks, Freshman Terence Davis would net back to back goals.

At a recent pre-season practice, the team was surprised to see Tempo the Coyote, mascot of the MLS Nashville Soccer Club coming down the ramp with a bouquet of flowers and a stuffed coyote. He was on a mission to assist SCHS Soccer player Jordan Gutierrez score a prom-date with Eden Daniel.

During a water break, at the end of the soccer field, Tempo held a sign behind Jordan as he got one knee to ask her to prom. She said yes. It was a unique “prom-posal” and a fun memory for all who enjoyed the taking pictures, dancing, playing soccer and hanging out.

The Nashville Soccer Club will celebrate the grand opening of the new MLS stadium on May 1st. SCHS Soccer will host their home opener on March 15th vs. Macon County.

On Saturday, November 13, DTC Sports filmed the 2021 Tri-County Youth Football Championships at Jackson County High School.

The games include the following championships:
Flag Championship – Trousdale Co. vs Gordonsville
Junior Championship – Smith Co. vs Gordonsville
Senior Championship – Smith Co. vs Watertown

Congratulations to all the Smith County and Gordonsville teams on their success this season!

You can watch all of the championship games below courtesy of DTC Sports.

DTC Sports has finalized the schedule for their coverage of high school football for the 2021 season. An 11 game schedule of live coverage will air each game night, starting at 6:45 p.m. on DTC channel 3, online at www.dtc3.tv, and on Facebook Live on DTC Communications’ Facebook page. Tape-delayed telecasts will air solely on DTC channel 3 in the week following each game. Football Game Night will return with all the action on Saturday night, August 21!

The Football Game Night schedule is as follows (schedule is subject to change):

August 21
Smith Co. at Gordonsville

August 27
Cascade at Cannon Co.

September 3
Maplewood at Smith Co.

September 10
DeKalb Co. st Watertown

September 17
Lookout Valley at Cannon Co.

September 24
Cannon Co. at DeKalb Co.

October 1
Jo Byrns at Gordonsville

October 8
Harpeth at Watertown

October 15
Jackson Co. at Smith Co.

October 22
Goodpasture at DeKalb Co.

October 29
Clay Co. at Gordonsville

Be sure to check back out the 2021 Football preview for each school and don’t miss a minute of the exciting action on Football Game Night, returning August 21!

Click HERE to view the 2021 GHS Football Team Roster.

Head Coach: Scott Clemons (4th Season, 23-14 Overall, 14-2 Region, 5-3 Post-season)

2020 Overall: 9-3 (5-2 Home, 4-1 Away)
Region 4-1A: 5-0 (1st Place)
Playoffs: Beat Whitwell, 49-0, in the First Round; Beat Clay Co.,21-14, in the Second Round; Lost vs South Pittsburg, 37-7, in the Quarterfinals
Season Notes: Beat state champions Fayetteville in regular season. Finished undefeated in region play before exiting playoffs in the quarterfinals against rival South Pittsburg.

2021 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 Smith County (on DTC3)
Aug. 27 at Watertown
Sep. 3 Oliver Springs
Sep. 10 Eagleville
Sep. 17 at Pickett County* (CANCELED)
Sep. 24 at Coalfield
Oct. 1 Jo Byrns* (on DTC3)
Oct. 8 at Trousdale County
Oct. 22 at Red Boiling Springs*
Oct. 29 Clay County* (on DTC3)

Region Prediction (According to Murphy Fair Publication): 1st in Region 4-1A

JR Smith of DTC Sports discusses the upcoming football season with Gordonsville head football coach, Scott Clemons.

Click here to view the 2021 SCHS Football Roster.

Head Coach: Matt Dyer (1st Season at SCHS)

2020 Overall: 4-7 (1-5 Home, 3-2 Away)
Region 4-3A: 4-1 (2nd Place)
Playoffs: Lot to Brainerd, 14-13, in First Round
Season Notes: Smith County alum and former player Matt Dyer returns to his alma mater as the Owls begin a new chapter including facing unfamiliar foes in a region with all new teams due to the TSSAA realignment.

2021 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 at Gordonsville
Aug. 27 at DeKalb County
Sep. 3 Maplewood*
Sep. 10 Westmoreland
Sep. 17 Walker Valley
Sep. 24 at Trousdale County
Oct. 1 at Stratford*
Oct. 15 Jackson County*
Oct. 22 at Macon County
Oct. 29 at East Nashville*

Region Prediction (According to Murphy Fair Publication): Tied-2nd in Region 5-3A (Tied with Stratford)

Luke Dycus of DTC Sports discusses the upcoming football season with Smith County head football coach, Matt Dyer.

Sophie Linder continues her already impressive golfing career by adding multiple accolades to an already jammed-pack resume.

At the end of June, the Tennessean named Linder the Middle Tennessee Female Golfer of the Year after winning her second consecutive TSSAA Small School state title last year. Continuing with her impressive performances, Linder qualified for the 121st U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship that will be played August 2-8, at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y by finishing near the top in a USGA qualifier event in June

Linder recently came from behind and won the Tennessee Girls Junior Golf Championship held at Memphis Country Club from July 6-8, 2021, after entering the final round six strokes back.

Linder is a member of the Gordonsville High School Class of 2023 and recently committed to continuing her golfing career at Ole Miss after graduating from high school.