School Community

BLUFF CITY, Tenn. – It may lack glitz and glamour, but Sullivan North’s methodical no-nonsense, between-the-tackles mindset still produces the same welcomed – and eagerly desired – results.

Despite stubbing their collective toes for a good portion of Friday’s Three Rivers Conference opener, the Golden Raiders sidestepped two of Sullivan East’s four scoring opportunities – ultimately putting together a clinching 11-play, 76-yard push late to post a grueling 26-13 decision.

“They really took it on their shoulders,” admitted North coach Robbie Norris, whose squad churned out a whopping 312 rushing yards. “And that’s what we want to do, especially in the second half.”

Known early in the season for simply wearing down their opponents, the Raiders, however, were the ones being pushed around for nearly the entire third quarter. That’s because the Patriots (0-3) took a definitive page from North’s playbook, keeping their first eight plays from scrimmage on the ground – ultimately capitalizing behind feisty running back Austin Glover.

Glover, who fought a foot cramp for much of the final 15 minutes, ultimately bowled in from 2 yards out, putting East within 18-13 at the 8:02 mark of the third quarter.

“[The Pats] really had a good plan, plus they have improved tremendously since playing Crockett and Tennessee High,” Norris added. “They’re going to be formidable the rest of the year.”

The Raiders then coughed up the football for the second time in the game, with East again taking advantage. Suddenly, the hosts had put together two first downs – one off a personal-foul miscue on third down – to eventually move inside North’s 25-yard line. 

But the Pats couldn’t draw closer. After Glover’s aforementioned fork in the road put him out of the game temporarily following his 19-yard reception, East mustered just 5 yards over its next three plays before botching the snap on a 35-yard field goal attempt.

It was a difficult time for East’s special teams unit, which not only erred on two field-goal attempts and recorded two punts under 24 yards, but also extended a North drive – although ultimately yielding no points – on a roughing the kicker penalty.

“We just lost our concentration at inopportune times,” said East coach Nick Colobro, who received a team-high 94 rushing yards from Glover. “We can play it so well for so long, but then we lose focus. Football is a tough game for tough people – and we’ve got to learn that.”

Adam Sage, one of four Raiders to find the end zone Friday, capped North’s final drive with his 9-yard scoring scamper. The Raiders – who only punted once but squandered two drives with those nagging fumbles – later ran out the last 5:54 with eight rushes that netted four first downs.

With Dobyns-Bennett and Sullivan South on the minds of many fans in Kingsport, Sullivan North continues to quietly chug along – improving to a definitive 3-0 on the young season behind a determined, yet business-like approach.

“We’re normally underrated, and it’s been that way ever since I’ve been at North,” said Doug Cook, who also found the end zone while amassing a game-high 154 yards on 16 carries. “You get used to it, and I think it helps us play better.”