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Sports

Celebrating Jakes Day


This past weekend was Jake’s Day in Anderson County and across Tennessee. The National Wild Turkey Foundation Melton Hill Longbeards Chapter and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency teamed up again this year to host a free fishing day for kids at the Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery.

The event began at 8 a.m. Each child who entered received a raffle ticket for prize drawings held throughout the day.

Left: Members of the NWTF Melton Hill Longbeards Chapter — Darren Harness, in the red shirt, and Danny Bridges Jr., in the black shirt —

help a young participant untangle and rebait a hook during Jake’s Day at the Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery.

Clinton’s Sexton finds purpose in helping athletes thrive

by Ken Lay


Bailey Sexton
From an early age, Bailey Sexton knew the career path she wanted to take.

“When I was in high school, I was in the marching band, so I was always at the football games, and I saw what the athletic trainers did,” said Sexton, who has served as Clinton High School’s athletic trainer for the past four years.

“My mom was a nurse when I was growing up,” she said. “I’ve always known that I’ve been called to help people. I love sports, so this lets me combine helping people with my passion for sports.”

A graduate of Loudon High School, Sexton earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from East Tennessee State University. She went on to receive her master’s degree in athletic training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Although she gained experience working with collegiate athletes, Sexton found her calling in the high school setting.

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Alexa Henry keeps Anderson County athletes on their feet

by Ken Lay


Alexa Henry
Alexa Henry has always had a passion for sports — now, she’s turned that passion into a career helping Anderson County High School athletes stay healthy.

Henry, in her second year as the school’s athletic trainer, is a constant sideline presence. While coaches and players hope her services aren’t needed, she’s always ready to jump into action.

Finding the right path wasn’t immediate for Henry, a Sullivan East High School graduate. After initially pursuing physical therapy, she considered becoming a paramedic before discovering athletic training during her senior year at the University of Tennessee.

“I did a project as part of my undergrad at UT and realized that athletic training would be the perfect career for me,” she said.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at Tennessee, then went on to obtain a master’s in athletic training from James Madison University.

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Lady Mavs score new home

Anderson County girls soccer unveils field house built by community support

by Ken Lay


Anderson County’s girls soccer team gathered with boosters and donors on Wednesday, June 4, to officially cut the ribbon on the Sondra Farris Field House. Bob Swisher, Sondra Farris and John Faris are flanked by current Lady Mavericks players, administrators and other guests to celebrate the new facility’s completion and opening. - Tony Cox
Anderson County High School’s girls soccer team now has a home of its own.

The Lady Mavericks soccer boosters recently celebrated the official opening of a new field house and locker room facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 4.

Construction began last year to provide players with a dedicated space to dress and prepare for matches.

“This was an investment for our players now and in the future,” said Nikki Swisher, a parent and booster who helped lead the effort alongside Jason Shock and others. “It took a village, and everybody really stepped up.

“The girls didn’t want to change in the bathrooms, so they had to change in their cars,” Swisher said.

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Mavs sharpen skills at Heupel 7-on-7

by Ken Lay


Anderson County High School’s passing league squad had a full day competing at the 2025 Josh Heupel University of Tennessee 7-on-7 tournament last Thursday.  Pictured are seniors Yashan Campbell and Reese Russell.
The high school football season is a little more than two months away, but preparation for the 2025 campaign ramped up for Anderson County High School last week.

The Mavericks competed at the 2025 Josh Heupel University of Tennessee 7-on-7 Tournament in Knoxville, facing off against some of the top programs in the Southeast.

Veteran ACHS Coach Davey Gillum uses spring and summer practices to acclimate new players to the program’s culture.

He said he sees 7-on-7 competition as a prime opportunity to build chemistry and help players adjust to new roles.

“These things are important; this is the difference between being good and being awful,” said Gillum, who has led the Mavericks to eight consecutive region championships and the 2022 Class 4A state title.

“It’s good to get reps against air and against each other, but it’s always better to get reps against high-level competition, because it forces us to execute better,” he said.

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Vols, Dragons legend Seivers eyes Hall nod

by Ken Lay


Former Tennessee wide receiver and Clinton Dragons standout Larry Seivers is on the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. - University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Clinton High School and University of Tennessee football standout Larry Seivers is once again on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame — this time for the Class of 2026.

Seivers, who has appeared on the ballot multiple times, has yet to be selected for induction despite a stellar career with the Volunteers.

But these days, Hall of Fame recognition isn’t something he dwells on.

“Life is good,” Seivers said. “I have a great family. We have two kids and four grandkids, and we live within 20 minutes of both of our kids. I just retired.

“As you get older, it just doesn’t mean as much,” he said. “When you get older, it means less and less. My priorities have changed.”

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Coal Creek 18U blanks Falcons in doubleheader

by Ken Lay


Max Giles catches a deep fly ball in an earlier matchup against Knoxville Ice last week. - Tony Cox
The Coal Creek 18U baseball team notched its first two victories of the 2025 summer season with a doubleheader sweep of the Christenberry Falcons early last week at Christenberry Ballpark in North Knoxville.

Coal Creek (2-3), made up of players from Anderson County High School, won the opener 7-0 before taking the nightcap 6-1 on Monday, June 2.

In Game 1, right-hander Clay Fletcher turned in a gem, tossing a five-inning no-hitter. He walked three, struck out five, and went the distance for the complete-game shutout.

Fletcher also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases.

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