Powell, Bearden notch big district wins

By Ken Lay

The stakes became a little higher last week as local teams either began or continued the district portion of their respective seasons.

One of the top matchups pitted Powell against Central Thursday night at Scarbro Stadium in Powell and the host Lady Panthers prevailed, 4-2.

Powell’s Sifa Morgan had a hat trick against the defending district champion Lady Bobcats. Avery Smith scored the first goal in the match for the Lady Panthers.

Jessica Cable, Powell’s first-year head coach, hasn’t been with the Lady Panthers long, but she knew this was going to be one of the biggest matches on the schedule for her side this season.

“We had several conversations leading up to that game because we knew it was going to be a big game against a good team,” Cable said. “It was a big district game and the girls were really up for it.

“I’m really proud of them for the way they fought. They battled until the end.”

Paige Branam scored both of Central’s goals in the match.

Powell opened the week Tuesday with a 9-0 victory over Campbell County in a district match Tuesday night.

Smith found the back of the net four times against the Lady Cougars. Anna Sanchez had a hat trick, while Abigail Reiche and Kylie Jekels each tallied a marker.

Central also a had a lopsided victory Tuesday night as it blanked Carter, 9-0, at Dan Y. Boring Stadium in Fountain City.

Farragut and HVA play to scoreless draw: Turkey Creek rivals Farragut and Hardin Valley Academy had their annual regular-season District 4-3A showdown Thursday night at HVA. The Lady Admirals and Lady Hawks tied, 0-0.

Earlier in the week the Lady Admirals notched a 4-1 victory in a league match on Tuesday.

Ava Upshaw scored twice for Farragut.  Kennedy Dade also chipped in with an unassisted goal and Lyla Mitchell scored off an assist from Courtney George.

On Tuesday, the Lady Hawks lost at home, 2-0, to Webb School of Knoxville.

Pearce Groer and Mary Mac Emery provided the offense in the match for the Lady Spartans, who have only surrendered three goals all season.

Webb was also in action Thursday as it opened Division II-AA East Region play with a win at home with a win over Chattanooga Baylor on Senior Night.

The Lady Spartans honored Groer and Abby Weigel, their two seniors on Thursday.

Lady Irish fall to Baylor: Catholic came up on the short end of a 1-0 decision against the Lady Raiders Tuesday.

Catholic played Maryville to a 1-1 draw Thursday at home. Catholic (7-3-2) got its lone goal of the match from Natalie Stobb. Jenna Clements was credited with an assist in the match.

Bearden topples West: The host and three-time defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs opened their league schedule with a 5-1 win over the Lady Rebels Thursday night at Turner-Allender Field.

Bearden led, 2-0, at the half as Halle Bibee found the back of the net twice in the first 40 minutes of the match.

West pulled to within, 2-1, as Lillyann Freeman converted a penalty kick. Bearden’s second-half goals came from Kennedy Lucas, Jayla Blue and Carson Stivers. The Lady Bulldogs routed Jefferson County, 7-0, on Tuesday to open the week.