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.

Sophie Linder closed out her impressive 2020 campaign by being honored as the Tennessee Golf Association’s 2020 Girls’ Junior Golfer of the Year. She was also named to The Tennessean All-Midstate on December 27th and is a finalist for the Tennessean’s Middle Tennessee girls golfer of the year, which will be announced later this year. In addition, she received All-State honors from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on January 4th.

Linder’s success results from a great work ethic and determination to play in the LPGA one-day. Linder competes year-round in various elite competitions, usually against individuals older than herself, and is regularly found at the top of the event leaderboards.

Linder, a sophomore at Gordonsville High School, won her second consecutive TSSAA state title at the 2020 TSSAA Small Class Girls’ Golf Championship and five Sneds Tour events, including Masters victories at Old Fort, Bear Trace – Harrison Bay, Willowbrook, Vanderbilt Legends, and Montgomery Bell. She also competed in other elite events this year, including finishing third at the TN Junior PGA Girls Championship and TN Golf Association Girls Junior and a top-10 finish at the TN Women’s Amateur.

Other accolades for Linder in 2020 included being named the MVP of the East Team at the TN Junior Cup hosted by Scott Stallings and being low qualifier with her partner at the Inaugural The Scotty tournament. One of her favorite events was the Tennessee Cup at the Golf Club of Tennessee, where she and other junior golfers from across the state raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Linder stated, “I am honored to win this award because there are so many talented golfers across the state. I appreciate the Tennessee Golf Association and hope to represent them well.”

Linder begins her 2021 campaign at the Annika Invitational at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL on January 15th.

Submitted by the Smith County Owls Soccer Program

In a time when the schools are back and forth between remote learning and in-person learning, practice has been shut down for sports. However, this cannot keep the SC High School Soccer program from supporting their community and showing their big hearts. The Lady Owls had three of their own, Eden Daniel, Ally Hall, and Biz Davis, show up to volunteer in the food giveaway sponsored by the Carthage UMC and Break-Thru Nashville. The Lady Owls also pulled together to support the Angel Tree put up by the Gordonsville High School. GHS also did a stuff a backpack program along with the Angel tree to meet students’ needs in our county.

Then the Lady Owls team decided to back the FCCLA project led by Eden Daniel and Jordan Gutierrez to support Waggin’ Tails. They collected canned dog food and reached out into the community to bring awareness to this organization’s needs that brings aid to the rescue animals in Smith County and the surrounding area.

The Owls Soccer team also backed a FCCLA project led by Salomon Rodriguez and Andrew Denney to support The Emmanuel House. They collected household items such as paper goods, cleaning supplies as well as baby wipes. The Emmanuel House is a nonprofit shelter for Women and Children based here in Smith County.

We are very proud of these student-athletes for all they do in their community and schools, as well as the example they set for all of us in being the good citizens our county needs us to be. Please keep these organizations in mind throughout the year, as they are all doing great work and need help in meeting their clients’ needs. If you are interested, you can find them on Facebook or send them an email at waggintailsorganization@yahoo.com and theemmanuelhouse.org.