FARRAGUT, Tenn. - Farragut High School football coach Eddie Courtney had his worries Friday night against visiting Cleveland in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
His worries were justified, but not for long.
The Admirals trailed by a touchdown in the first quarter before rolling to a 50-20 victory. Farragut (10-1) scored 43 unanswered points after the early deficit.
"I was concerned about that bunch," Courtney said. "I knew the athletes they have. I saw them on film and saw how much they improved since early in the year."
Farragut 50, Cleveland 20
The star: Farragut’s Tanner Thomas ran for 130 yards and three TDs.Up next: Farragut will be home against Rhea County next Friday.
After the game, Courtney embraced Cleveland coach Scott Cummings, who coached Knoxville West to the Class 5A state championship last year.
"Scott and I have been friends," Courtney said. "We have a lot of respect for each other. Last year I was pulling for him. I hated to see him leave Knoxville, but I know it's a great opportunity for him in Cleveland."
The Admirals will host Rhea County (8-3) in next Friday's second round.
Farragut senior Tanner Thomas rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries against Cleveland (5-6).
Jacob Naumoff completed 7 of 13 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Davis Simmons had five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Farragut led 27-14 at halftime, but had two touchdowns called back for penalties and settled for field goals by Carter Phillipy.
Keegan Jones' 6-yard touchdown run capped Cleveland's opening drive.
Thomas scored on a 7-yard run as the Admirals tied it 7-7.
Taddarius Brown intercepted a pass by Naumoff and returned it 45 yards for a 14-7 Cleveland lead, which lasted less than a minute.
On Farragut's next play on offense, Naumoff threw a short pass to Simmons, who raced down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown and a 14-14 tie with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.
Thomas scored on a 26-yard run early in the second quarter, and Farragut scored touchdowns on its first three possessions of the third quarter.
Cleveland played without its top receiver, junior Skyler Davis, and without freshman running back Micaleous Elder due to injuries.
"The reality of it is Farragut is a more seasoned team," Cummings said. "They've been in the weight room a lot more than us, and they're playing a lot of juniors and seniors. We have two seniors total on offense."