The 2025 Smoky Mountain Conference football season delivered another year of hard-nosed competition, elite individual performances, and deep postseason runs, and TeamFYNSports has announced its annual SMC Media Awards and All-Conference Team selections. The honors recognize the players and coaches who stood out throughout the regular season and into the state playoffs. […]
Read More »Round 2 SMC Playoff Previews and Predictions
NCHSAA Second-Round Playoff Preview: Smoky Mtn Conference Robbinsville Black Knights vs. Andrews Wildcats (1A) The setup:Robbinsville enters at 7‑3 (5‑1 conference) while Andrews is 2‑9 (1‑5 conference) going into this game. Robbinsville blanked Andrews 56‑0 earlier this season. What to watch: Robbinsville’s offense has been high-powered and consistent, averaging around 32 points per game. Andrews […]
Read More »Building Belief: Coach Johnson’s First Win Signals Good Things Ahead For Andrews
Building Belief: Coach Johnson’s First Win Signals Good Things Ahead For Andrews *Andrews, N.C.* Friday evening’s game felt different from the start — there was a spark, a sense of urgency, a quiet confidence in the Wildcats that hadn’t always been apparent. That spirit translated on the scoreboard, as J.J. Johnson claimed his […]
Read More »Dogs Shut Down Cherokee, 35-0
Bulldogs Shut Down Cherokee, 35–0 The Murphy Bulldogs left no doubt Friday night, rolling to a 35–0 shutout victory over the Cherokee Braves in Smoky Mountain Conference play. Murphy came out fast, putting up 14 points in the opening quarter and never looking back. By halftime, the Bulldogs had built a 21–0 cushion, […]
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Preseason All-SMC Teams and Awards
We are inching closer to flicking on those Friday night lights here in the mountains. Teams have had their first practice in full pads, and some will be taking the field for their first scrimmage this Friday night. Let’s take a look at our Preseason All Smoky Mountain Conference team so you can familiarize […]
Read More »Friday Night Finances: A Look at Western North Carolina Football Coaches Salary (2024–2025)
Friday Night Finances: A Look at Western North Carolina Football Coaches Salary (2024–2025) In North Carolina high school football, coaching salaries vary widely across the state. But in the mountains of Western North Carolina, coaching pay and the duties that come with leading a football program don’t always add up. Newly available public salary data […]
Read More »New, But Familiar Face Takes The Helm Of Andrews Football
Photo courtesy of Haley’s Photography — **Jason Johnson Takes the Helm at Andrews High Football** **ANDREWS –** The Andrews High School varsity football team has a new head coach, and it’s a familiar face around the field. Jason Johnson, the longtime defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Wildcats, is stepping into the lead […]
Read More »2025 All-SMC Baseball Honors Released
**2024 Smoky Mountain Conference Baseball Honors Released** The Smoky Mountain Conference has announced its 2024 baseball honors, recognizing the top athletes, coaches, and contributors from an action-packed season across Western North Carolina. The awards reflect a competitive year that saw standout performances from all corners of the conference. **Final Standings** 1. […]
Read More »2025 All-SMC Softball Awards Announced
— **2024 Smoky Mountain Conference Softball Awards Announced** The 2024 Smoky Mountain Conference softball season concluded with standout performances from players across the region. With competitive games and strong individual efforts, the conference has recognized top athletes and coaches with postseason honors. **Final Standings** 1. Robbinsville 2. Swain 3. Murphy […]
Read More »Julia Dockery’s Grand Slam Sends Dogs To Round 3
**Bulldogs Power Past Bethany with Late-Inning Slam in Round Two** The Murphy Bulldogs are moving on! In a back-and-forth battle Friday night, the Bulldogs came up clutch late to take down Bethany Community 7-3 in the second round of the NCHSAA state playoffs. Tied at three in the top of the sixth, Murphy’s Julia Dockery […]
Read More »Taylor’s Homer Lifts Robbinsville Past Murphy By A Score Of 5-4
The Robbinsville Lady Knights beat Murphy 5-4 on Friday after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at four in the bottom of the sixth when Naomi Taylor hit a solo home run to center field. Murphy got on the board in the top of the third inning after Julia Dockery […]
Read More »Betting on Coaches: NC Lawmakers Look to Sports Gambling Revenue for Pay Boost
On March 25, 2025, North Carolina Senators Johnson, Settle, and Chitlik introduced Senate Bill 657, titled the “Keeping Our Coaches Act,” during the 2025-2026 legislative session. This proposed legislation aims to address the retention and support of athletic coaches within the state’s educational institutions. While the full text of the bill has not yet been […]
Read More »Lady Cats Eyeing Back-To-Back 10 Win Seasons For First Time In Nearly A Decade
As of January 14, 2025, the Andrews High School Lady Wildcats basketball team holds a 6-5 overall record, with a 1-1 standing in their conference. As the insanity of Conference season approaches on the hardwood, the Cats need just 4 more wins to post a second straight 10 win season for the first time in […]
Read More »Boys Big Smoky Mountain Conference Round Up
Photo courtesy of Joanna McMahan Boys Big SMC Standings Cherokee 2-0 (W vs Hayesville, Andrews) Andrews 1-1 (W vs Robbinsville, L vs Cherokee) Robbinsville 1-1 (W vs Murphy, L vs Andrews) Hayesville 1-1 (W vs Swain, L vs Cherokee) Murphy 0-1 (L vs Robbinsville) Swain 0-1 (L vs Hayesville) 2025 Ushers in More inter-conference Play […]
Read More »2024 TeamFYNSports SMC Media Awards
It’s time once again for the Smoky Mountain Conference Media Awards! These awards and lists differ from the lists the coach’s vote on every year. These lists and awards are given to the players that we believe made the most impact on their teams from our point of view as armchair quarterbacks. It’s just another […]
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